Tonight’s Council Agenda First Reading.

C. B. 10-12 an Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to enter into a contract with Liberty Pyrotechnics L.L.C., of Joplin, Missouri for fireworks display for the July 4, 2010 celebration in the amount of$II,695.00 (Public Services Committee).

2. C. B. 10-13 an Ordinance to enact a new section to be added to Chapter 10 of the Carthage Code for discharge and sale offireworks (Public Safety Committee).

3. C. B. 10-14 an Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to execute a Contract between the City ofCarthage and the Carthage Chamber ofCommerce for services in the amount of$106,720.00 (Budget, Ways & Means Committee).

4. C. B. 10-15 an Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to execute a Contract between the City of Carthage and the Carthage Over-60 Center for services in the amount of $20,000.00 (Budget, Ways & Means).

5. C. B. 10-16 an Ordinance authorizing the Mayor to execute a Contract between the City ofCarthage and the Carthage Convention and Visitors Bureau for services in the amount of$88,500.00 (Budget, Ways & Means Committee).

It’s not the fear of my house catchin’ on fire, although I would agree that possibility exists, it’s the age. My age. I just don’t want ta put up with firecrackers poppin’ off for four days straight.

Unfortunately for the neighbors in the small town I grew up in, I’ve lit more than my share of firecrackers and enjoyed ever last one pop I could manage. The memory of those kid days have prompted me in the recent past to ignite a blackcat or two. It just ain’t no fun anymore.

I might be persuaded to think that firin’ off fireworks on the 4th could be tolerable, but no amount of sales tax gained from fireworks stands in the City can justify the nerves I’ll have after four long days of jumpin’ from the pop in July.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake hoppin’.

(Reprint from Nov. 2001)

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To Your Good Health

By Paul G. Donohue, M.D.

Shedding Light on

Tanning

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Recently, my daughter attended a sweet-16 birthday party for one of her best friends. She is a beautiful girl. When my daughter showed me pictures of her friend, I was shocked. Her face and arms were deeply tanned. I have no idea how many hours she must have spent under a tanning machine. I am very concerned about her. Would you write about the dangers of tanning? -- Anon.

ANSWER: Ultraviolet light, the kind of light we don’t see, has powerful effects on the skin. Ultraviolet A rays constitute 95 percent of the UV light that makes its way to earth. UV A rays do not burn and tan skin as much as UV B rays, but they do damage skin. They cause skin wrinkling; they dry skin; and they produce age spots (liver spots). And they also add to the risk of skin cancer.

Ultraviolet B rays are more destructive. They are the burning rays, and they have a greater effect on skin cancer production. Both A and B reduce the skin’s innate immunity.

Exposure to both UV A and UV B injures the skin cells’ DNA, and that’s what sets the scene for future skin cancer. Humans have learned to cope with UV light by tanning. A tan offers some protection against further damage. UV light activates melanocytes, and they pass their melanin -- a dark pigment -- to other skin cells. That has the effect of providing an umbrella for the skin. However beneficial that might be, the fact remains that in obtaining a modicum of protection with a tan, skin-cell DNA has been dealt a major blow.

No tan can be considered healthy. Sun exposure in adolescence might be the most dangerous time for ultraviolet damage. Tanning booths and tanning beds are considered a threat equal to the sun for promoting future skin cancer.

People of all ages should protect their skin from exposure to UV light. Such exposure happens every time a person goes outdoors. Cloud cover is a poor absorber of UV rays and offers little skin protection. Sunscreen application should become a habit.