Today's Feature

Nomination Deadline.

The Carthage Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations through November 30 for several awards that will be presented during the annual Chamber Banquet, to be held early next year. The Spotlight Award acknowledges a business that has contributed to the overall enhancement of the business community of Carthage through revitalization or improvements made to their business location in 2008. The Small Business of the Year award acknowledges a business that has provided a positive image and been a vibrant entity within the Carthage business community during 2008. Nominations are also being accepted for the Citizen of the Year Award.

Nominations for the Golden Key award will be accepted at the Chamber through December 12. The Golden Key Award recognizes the community’s most outstanding educators. Nominations may be submitted by email to info@carthagechamber.com, fax at 358-7479 or by mail.

Closed for Thanksgiving.

The City of Carthage Recycling Drop-Off Center and Composting Lot will be closed Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28 in observance of Thanksgiving.

Mornin'
For some reason folks seem ta get hung up on words. ‘Specially the corporate folks. I’ve noticed a lot of large stores no longer talk about "salesmen" and "saleswomen", but refer to them as "associates."

Personally, when I want to buy somethin’, I’d like a straight talkin’ sales pitch and not some mealy-mouth promotion technique. Thing is, I’m sure a lot of these places have good sales people. I just can’t understand why they seem to be ashamed of the fact that they want them to sell things.

I’ll bet when they get together to look over the numbers they talk about sellin’. They certainly don’t stand around talkin’ ‘bout how to associate.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Simple Ways to Shave Heating Costs

Q: Last fall, a contractor friend of mine recommended that I insulate my water heater and pipes. I did so and was amazed to find that I saved nearly $100 a month through the winter! Please let your readers know about this simple fix. It cost me about $30 for all the materials, and I got several hundred dollars in savings -- not a bad investment! -- Janice B., Nashua, N.H.

A: That’s a huge savings! Thanks for letting people know about it. Water heater insulation kits are available at most home-improvement stores, or can be ordered. They are especially effective for water heaters set up in basements or non-insulated areas of the house.

Many inexpensive and fast insulation methods will shave heating costs -- important at a time when both oil prices and the economy are so unstable. Hanging curtains or heavy shades over windows will help keep heat in and cold drafts out (or in summertime, keep cool air in and the hot sun out). Wrapping insulation around air ducts will help prevent heat loss as hot air travels into a home’s living areas (this is another kit available at home-improvement stores). Closing off unused rooms by sealing the windows with plastic, shutting the register vents and closing the door means the heater will heat the rest of the house for less.

Weather-stripping is another great investment that costs little and saves a lot. Repair existing weather-stripping around doors and windows, or install new stripping -- this effectively seals these openings against the cold without having to resort to taping plastic sheets over the windows.

If your home is heated with radiators, increase the efficiency of their heat output by taping an unwrinkled sheet of aluminum foil to a piece of cardboard, and taping the cardboard to the wall behind the radiator. The foil will reflect heat outward.

HOME TIP: Spending just a few hours adding do-it-yourself insulation around the home can help you save hundreds of dollars a year in heating and cooling costs.