More Housing Planned.

The City Council endorsed an expansion of the housing development just south of HH on Chapel Road during the regular Council meeting Tuesday evening. The endorsement will be included in an application by New Beginnings Development, Inc. for participation in a Federal housing program.

If the development is approved by the state, the company plans to build 36 more single family homes that would be valued in the range of $80 to $90,0000 and rent for about $500 a month. After 15 years, the renter would receive a 45% discount on the then appraised value if they wish to purchase the home.

The Council approved the designation of the Carthage Convention and Visitors Bureau as the City’s Destination Marketing Organization.

Police Chief Dennis Veach noted to the Council the passing of Harry Putnam and said his death was a "great loss" to the City. Veach had worked with Putnam on last year’s United Way Campaign and said Harry committed many hours of work behind the scenes to enhance all facets of the community.

NASCAR to the Max

With Hurricane Isabel washing out qualifying for Sunday’s running of the MBNA America 400 from Dover (DE) International Speedway the starting grid was determined by driver’s points. That allowed point’s leader Matt Kenseth to start from the pole (first) starting position. When the green flag fell, Kevin Harvick quickly took command and led the first double hand full of laps. Ryan Newman then established himself as a threat by leading an extended period. A flat tire relegated Newman to the pits where he lost nearly two laps.

NASCAR implemented a much needed rule this week that outlawed racing back to the flag when a caution flag was waved. In recent weeks, many drivers were ignoring the long standing "gentleman’s agreement" that allowed the leader to set the pace back to the flag and determine who, if any, of the lapped cars would get their lap back.

NASCAR will now allow the first car a lap down back on the lead lap. Newman raced his way back to being the first car a lap down and when the fifth caution came out, Newman got the pass back to the lead lap.

During that caution, Newman took tires and fuel and settled in to try to stretch both to the finish knowing he would need several laps of yellow flag speeds to stretch his fuel to the finish.

In the race’s late going, two more caution periods ensued allowing Newman to hold on for win number seven on the season.

In another series’ news, Sam Hornish, Jr. set a closed course speed record by winning the Toyota Indy 400 in Fontana, CA. Hornish Jr., slowed by only one caution, driving an open wheeled Indy Car averaged 207.151 mph; almost 100 mph faster than Sunday’s NASCAR pace of 108.802.

The NASCAR contingent now heads to Talladega (AL) Speedway the longest track on the circuit. The high banked, 2.66-mile track features close action and little of the fender banging action of recent weeks. The track is a favorite of Dale Earnhardt, Jr. who has won the last four races here.

The thing I remember most ‘bout workin’ for farmers durin’ the summers as a kid are the ripe, red tomatoes they seemed ta always serve at meals. They weren’t those anemic lookin’ tomatoes ya see served on a fast food hamburger. They were sliced thick and dark red all the way through.

I’m guessin’ there are folks in their twenty’s or thirty’s that have never seen a real farm tomato.

‘Course my uncle used ta ruin the jewels by puttin’ sugar on ‘em. I never tried it. I wanted a little salt and plenty of pepper. I suppose my recipe turned his stomach a little accordin’ to his taste.

Now I’m not particularly knockin’ fast food. There are a lotta advantages. The fate of the tomato, I’m afraid, is not one of the high points.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Metcalf Auto Supply

Click & Clack
TALK CARS

By Tom & Ray Magliozzi

Dear Tom and Ray:

My wife and I recently took the "Do You Need an SUV?" quiz on your Web site. The results gave us some alternative suggestions, including minivans and "compact" SUV’s. My wife asked: "Why are minivans any better than SUV’s? They’re both oversized, and they both get lousy mileage, etc." I valiantly replied that minivans ride lower to the ground, so they cause less damage to other cars in accidents. She wasn’t convinced. So why is a minivan a better alternative to an SUV? My wife really digs the Subaru Forrester. — Mark

RAY: Good question, Mark. The key is that minivans (and an increasing number of small SUV’s, like the Forrester) are built on car platforms, as opposed to the old "body-on-frame" design of trucks and SUVs. And, like you say, car platforms are lower to the ground, and are the same height as what? Other cars! So, in accidents, they don’t ram their bumpers into other people’s throats.

TOM: Plus, the lower the center of gravity means that minivans are less likely to flip over if you turn too fast or have a blowout or an accident. In general, the passenger-car platform allows for better handling, which can help you avoid accidents.

RAY: In addition, minivans generally get better gas mileage than trucks, which is good for everybody (except maybe OPEC).

TOM: There are also a couple of less global but equally important advantages of minivans over traditional SUVs. One is that because they’re lower to the ground, they’re easier to enter and exit. Some of the SUVs we drive are real pants-splitters and require a "heave-ho" to get into.