Today's Feature

Banners for the Roundabout.

The Public Works Committee will meet this afternoon at 5:00 in the Council Chambers at City Hall to discuss an item of new business.

A local Eagle Scouts Group represented by Seth Putnam will propose an idea to the Committee concerning the decoration of the roundabout on the south side of Carthage. The Eagle Scouts are in the process of accumulating hours in attempts of obtaining badges and this presentation is the result of their work.

The proposed decorations involve hanging patriotic banners from the 6 street lights around the circumference of the roundabout.

The Scout group has secured the funding for the banners and will show the committee what they look like along with instructions for the installation and the guidelines for maintenance. If the committee approves the proposal it will be forwarded to City Council for their approval. Though the banners will be provided by the Scout group the maintenance and upkeep must be discussed as they will be provided by the City.

I suppose it’s just old fashioned, but I don’t mind punchin’ a hole in a card to vote. All in what you’re used to I guess.

With the county lookin’ to get on board with new fangled electronic votin’, I’m wonderin’ what will happen if the votin’ poll gets a jolt of lightnin’ durin’ a votin’ session. I read the other day that lightnin’ hits the earth about thirty million times a year. What are the odds?

I understand that a couple states in the west already allow email votin’, so ‘fore long ya won’t have to get out at all to cast your opinion.

I guess I’m not keepin’ up, but I’ve never really known who’s pushin’ to get electronic and exactly what the real benefit is gonna be. Maybe if that question was put on the ballot we’d be better informed.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

To Your Good Health

By Paul G. Donohue, M.D.

Dizziness Often Due to Ear Infection.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I was struck with a case of dizziness that was unbelievable. I had to stay in bed for two days because I was so unsteady that I knew I would fall if I tried to walk. I am now in my second week of this, and things have improved but haven’t gone away. The doctor says I have labyrinthitis. I need information on it. When does it go away? — L.L.

ANSWER: The labyrinth is the part of the inner ear where the balance organs are located. Inflammation of the labyrinth - labyrinthitis - makes people feel like they are spinning in space. As a result, they are frequently nauseated and often vomit. They might suffer a slight hearing impairment, and their ears might ring. Labyrinthitis is usually due to a viral infection.

Medicines can lessen labyrinthitis-induced dizziness, but they rarely completely eliminate it. Antivert is a popularly used medicine. The Transderm Scop skin patch, a seasickness treatment, is another medicine that controls dizziness.

Two days in bed for dizziness is enough. Even if people feel unsteady, they should walk with assistance. Walking helps the brain right itself when it gets confusing messages from the balance organs.

People are generally over a bout of labyrinthitis in a few weeks to a month or so. If matters do not clear up by then, the doctor can refer patients for vestibular rehabilitation. For most, however, nature takes its course, usually without leaving any permanent problems.