Today's Feature

Recommended Adjustment.

The City Council Budget Ways and Means Committee met on Monday evening in a regular session. The committee approved a motion to recommend to Council an appropriation of funds for improvements at the golf course.

Parks Director Alan Bull during the last Public Services Committee meeting proposed that funding donated to the golf course over the past few years be used to renovate the bunkers on the golf course. Bull recommended using the funding to purchase the sand which would be required, and then using the labor of the golf course employees for the renovation. The committee agreed and forwarded the item to the Budget Committee for consideration.

City Administrator Tom Short said that there was approximately $2,900 available in the Civic Enhancement fund which had been donated specifically for use at the golf course. The committee reviewed the proposal and agreed unanimously to recommend the approval of the budget adjustment to full Council.

City Administrator Short also noted that sales tax numbers are up 7.1% over last year to date.

Mornin'
Time to batten down the hatches.

This is onea those terms I had heard growin’ up and understood it to mean gettin’ ready for a storm or expected chaos. The interpretation was correct, but I was surprised to find the sayin’ had a nautical heritage.

A batten is a thin strip of wood used in sails to keep ‘em stiff in a light breeze. To "batten down" meant to use the strips of wood to lock down anything loose on the deck of a ship in rough weather, includin’ the hatches.

‘Course I was aware of the term "down the hatch." I learned that one from my grandparents I believe. Usually the term was used just before the dose of foul tastin’ medicine.

With winter comin’ on I’m guessin’ there will be plenty of sailor talk bein’ tossed around.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

• Need to run an extension cord for lights across a driveway or walkway? Cushion the cord by running it through a length of slit garden hose. It will protect the cord from low temperatures or being crushed.

• "There was a request from a reader, W.T., and he was looking for a way to remove the smell from jar lids. I have the solution! Use dishwasher liquid (like Cascade) -- the kind you use for your automatic dishwasher. Just wash by hand with hot water. The dishwasher liquid will remove any smell and any stain, especially tomato stains." -- K. in Illinois

• "I deodorize sauerkraut jars to use for apple butter by putting 1 tablespoon of baking soda in a wet, clean jar and filling it with water. I also use this method on plastic storage containers that smell of onions or hot peppers, so it should work for Mr. T." -- E-mail from Minnesota

• On saving gas: "Before going on a trip or pulling a heavy load, like a trailer, have your service station replace your fuel filter. You will be surprised at how much farther a tank of gas will go, especially if the filter has not been changed in a while. -- M.B. in Saskatchewan, Canada

• "Teach children to be neat and organized in their drawers by using plastic shower caps to contain their underwear and socks. This is a great way to start teaching organization and tidiness." -- L. in North Carolina

• Another way to remove deodorant stains: Try meat tenderizer! Dampen the stain, sprinkle with meat tenderizer and work it into the fabric to loosen the deodorant. Let it sit for 5 minutes, then launder as normal. Be sure to check any stain before putting the garment in the dryer.