Today's Feature

Smoking Ban Forum.

The City Council Public Services Committee is scheduled to meet this evening in City Hall at 7 p.m. The agenda includes a presentation by a group that would like to see a non-smoking ordinance approved that would ban smoking in all public buildings and workplaces.

The model ordinance to be discussed has the following as its premise:

"The smoking of tobacco is a form of air pollution, a positive danger to health, and a material public nuisance.

Accordingly, the _______________ [City or County Governing Body] finds and declares that the purposes of this ordinance are (1) to protect the public health and welfare by prohibiting smoking in public places and places of employment; and (2) to guarantee the right of nonsmokers to breathe smoke free air, and to recognize that the need to breathe smoke free air shall have priority over the desire to smoke."

According to discussion at the last Public Services Committee, the group is trying to link Joplin, Webb City, and Carthage in an effort to ban smoking in all public buildings in the area.

Mornin'

I suppose it took more than a little convincin’ ta get folks ta give up on the horse and buggy. More than anything it was prob’ly the idea of bein’ comfortable with a known mode of gettin’ from here to there.

Automobiles aren’t entirely the blessin’ that proponents of that industry would have liked ever’one to believe, but they did offer a lot of advantages.

The one thing that changed the most was the amount a time folks spend just walkin’. Nowadays, a visit to a neighbor on the other side of the block warrants takin’ the car. A three or four block walk would seem outa the question.

‘Course one of the big advantages of car ownin’ is if ya leave the car in the garage, you don’t have ta keep puttin’ in fuel just so ya have somethin’ ta clean up later. And, the flies aren’t near as plentiful.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Reusing Wood for Flooring

Q: I’ve been watching some home-improvement shows on television lately that advocate "green" building techniques, including reusing wood from other structures for a home’s wood flooring, rather than buying new. What do you think about this trend, and how do I go about doing this? -- Larry in Tempe, Ariz.

A: Recycled wood flooring is a good trend, in my opinion, because rather than chopping down live trees to supply the hardwood for your floor, wood from many types of disused structures or other sources of salvaged lumber can be remilled to give it a second life. There is some concern that the current stock of high-quality salvaged wood will run out eventually, but no timetable has been given for that.

Recycled hardwood is often of better quality than new hardwoods. It’s been curing for many years, resulting in a tighter grain and more stability. Also, much of the current stock of recycled wood originally came from old-growth forests, most of which either no longer exist or are protected, and so you’re getting high-quality denseness and stability that most new woods can’t match.

One thing it is not, however, is cheap. Recycled hardwood costs much more than new (Toolbase Services estimates that it runs about $5.75 to $11 per square foot, while new oak flooring runs about $3 per square foot). Recycled wood also must be installed by a professional.

Despite the cost, recycled wood tends to be beautiful and durable and a nice conversation piece at parties. If you’re interested in having it installed, many flooring contractors are able to procure and install recycled wood. You should check with more than one contractor, though, get estimates, and ideally work with someone who specializes in recycled wood-flooring installation.

HOME TIP: All types of wood floors need the same type of care: Wipe up liquid spills immediately, don’t use harsh cleaners or oil soaps, and sweep, dust mop or vacuum regularly to prevent grit from dulling the finish.