Festivals Celebrate Diversity.

The upcoming multicultural festivals in Monett, Noel, Carthage and Springfield are designed to celebrate the diversity of southwest Missouri and increase awareness of different cultures.

"The multicultural festivals, like the one in Carthage, will be a fun way to celebrate the diversity of cultures that are present in southwest Missouri," said Jinny Hopp, human development specialist, University Outreach and Extension.

The second annual Festival of Friends will be held 5 p.m. - 8 p.m., Sept. 21, Memorial Hall, 407 South Garrison, Carthage, Mo. This festival has a goal of bringing people together to celebrate diversity by sharing cultural displays, music, food and poetry. For more information on this event, or to reserve a booth at the event for your non-profit organization, contact Hopp, (417) 358-2158.

"These festivals are multicultural, showcasing Hispanic, African-American, Native American and Ozarks culture, music and food side-by-side. Each of them are free activities suitable for the entire family," said Pat Williams, diversity specialist, University of Missouri Outreach and Extension.

NASCAR to the Max

Saturday night’s running of the Chevy Monte Carlo 400 from Richmond, VA was slowed considerably by 10 caution periods for 65 laps and 1 red flag period to clean up a multi-car accident that left the track almost completely blocked. Matt Kenseth ran strong all night and assumed the lead with 107 laps remaining. Several drivers were able to make a charge toward Kenseth only to suffer some misfortune. The most notable of these was Rusty Wallace who mounted his charge with about 20 laps remaining only to suffer a flat tire. By the time Wallace returned from the pits he was a lap down in 15th. Kenseth took his fourth win of the season by over 6 seconds.

Prior to Saturday night, Jeff Gordon had been running at the finish of 56 straight races, a modern era (which started in 1972) record. Gordon’s streak came to an end Saturday, the result of engine failure that relegated him to a 40th place finish. The current longest streak now falls to Kenseth and Kyle Petty with 25.

Joplin’s own Jamie McMurray has been tabbed to drive a third Dodge in the Winston Cup Series for team owner Chip Ganassi. The team has secured sponsorship from Havoline via Chevron/Texaco. Ganassi currently fields cars for series points’ leader Sterling Marlin and Jimmy Spencer.

This Sunday’s race will take place at the New Hampshire International Speedway in Loudon, NH. The flat one-mile track appears to one of the least favorite on the schedule. Until the track was widened earlier this year, the layout only allowed one groove, or lane, of racing. The renovations that were made earlier this year had not adequately cured and made the July race treacherously slick. At the time, most drivers indicated the track probably wouldn’t improve much by now.

Look for several early cautions until the drivers figure out exactly what the track conditions are and where the racing groove is. Among the 43 starters, Tony Stewart’s dirt track experience could serve him well on a slippery track and he could emerge with the victory.

The City Council will meet tonight due to many of the members bein’ outa town last Tuesday for a Missouri Municipal League meetin’. Onea the agenda items is the reconsideration of a contract for storm water drainage that was defeated at the last regular meetin’. The concern raised by some Council members was the lack of control the City seems to have been havin’ over some of the jobs they’ve contracted for. In particular the construction of George Phelps Boulevard through the Myers Park Development. The completion of that project is behind schedule and some rework has been ordered. The same company has submitted the low bid for the storm water project. It looks like the reconsideration will allow the storm water project, but hopefully with more oversight.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Metcalf Auto Supply

Click & Clack
TALK CARS

Dear Tom and Ray:

I have a ‘98 Honda Civic with 73,000 miles. Over the past month, I’ve noticed that my car seems to bounce excessively when I’m driving over bumps. Also, when I am accelerating or braking quickly on a bumpy surface, the wheels seem to skip over the ground (I can hear the rubber squeal as the tires lose and gain traction).

I took it to the dealership, and the guy told me it was an alignment problem that caused "cupping" on my tires and a bumpy ride. However, the ride is smooth on a smooth road. It’s only the bumps that I have a problem. —Phil

TOM: Gee, I’m confused, Phil. When you described your symptoms, my first though was "shocks." But the reaction of the dealer confuses me.

RAY: Right. How he could EVER miss an opportunity to sell a set of shocks is absolutely beyond me!

TOM: Actually, the first thing you should check is your tire pressure, Phil. Because overinflated tires can cause exactly the symptoms you describe.

RAY: But if the pressure is correct, then I think your problem IS shocks (also called struts). Simply put, the job of the shocks is to "push down" and keep the tires firmly planted on the road, no matter what bumps they encounter. When the shocks wear out, the tires bounce over bumps and then stay in the air.

TOM: And when tires bounce, they do exactly what you describe. They make the car bounce, and they chirp when you brake on a bumpy surface, because they’re skidding every time they come down and make contact with the road.