The City Council Public Works Committee reviewed plans for a new Street Department Maintenance building during last Monday’s meeting. After a fairly detailed explanation by Street Commissioner Tom Shelley, the Committee approved a motion by member Charlie Bastin to put the building out for bid. Shelley told the Committee that he thought the job could be done for about $165,000.

To keep the construction cost at a minimum, Shelley said the Street Department crew will remove the remains of the old building that partially burned last February.

The specification call for a metal building with one masonry wall separating the shop and garage areas. The entire building will be insulated but only the shop area will be heated. Also included are options for a lube pit, a beam to hang a hoist, and 14 or 18 foot wall height.

A small office area and a rest room are included in the plans. The structure will be slightly larger than the old building which has served the City since the early 1950’s. Shelley is hopeful that the structure will be completed before winter hits.

I’m sure its just a matter of dumb luck, but I haven’t gotten really ticked off in a traffic situation yet this summer. Usually I’ll (figuratively) run into some idiot with the windows rolled up and the radio blastin’ who doesn’t think there is anyone else usin’ their road. Then I get ta thinkin’, maybe its my turn to be the idiot and I just don’t have the sense to realize it.

I know that lady that followed me for eight or ten blocks with her hood under my taillights was prob’ly gettin’ a little nervous ‘cause I was goin’ a couple a miles under the 30 mph speed limit the other day. ‘Course if I sped up a little, she was right there with me. I decided not to rush myself. It didn’t really tick me off that she was tailgatin’, but she may have another story.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

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Carthage Printing Services

PRIME TIME WITH KIDS

by Donna Erickson

If your kids need a reading boost, then here’s a fun incentive activity that will have your whole family turning pages until fall. It’s a zany paper caterpillar that grows with each new book you read.

This conversation piece may hang from your stairway or creep across your mantel or kitchen window.

Cut colored construction paper in circles, three inches in diameter. On the first circle, draw a caterpillar face. It’s fun to form the caterpillar’s mouth with the letters of your kids’ names.

For each book your children read or that you read to them (encourage the teens in the family to read to the younger ones, too), write the book’s title on its own circle. Decorate the circle with markers and stickers in bright colors. your children may take a theme from the book for inspiration.

For example, if their first choice is "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle, draw pictures of several of the foods the caterpillar ate in the story. Paste the circle to the preceding circle, allowing for a half-inch overlap.

For older readers who enjoy chapter books, let them fill out a circle for every 50 or so pages.

Mom and Dad may also record the books they read. Setting a good example is one of the best ways to encourage children to become lifelong readers.

Watch your reading caterpillar grow. Maybe it will grow into another room! On the last day of vacation, measure the caterpillar with a yardstick and celebrate the achievement.