Today's Feature
Computer Report.

Monday evening the Budget/Ways and Means Committee met to hear a presentation from Ultreya, the group that analyzed the strengths and weakness of the City computer system.. A spokesperson from Ultreya gave a report which outlined the steps the City employees would have to take if they decide the City departments need a fully integrated network system, including recommendations for hardware and software.

Energy Crisis Intervention Program.

Effective November 15, 2004 Economic Security Corporation will receive $347,244 for the Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) and will begin taking applications for the winter season in Barton, Jasper, Newton, and McDonald Counties. ECIP is a utility assistance program for low-income families based on household income eligibility. Any income eligible resident of Jasper, Newton, Barton or McDonald county who has no service or who has received a shut-off notice will be seen on a first come first served basis. Priority will be given to households who have no service for their primary heating source. Qualified clients will also be enrolled in the Low Income Heating Assistance Program.

Energy Crisis Intervention Program operates from November through May or until funds are expended. The basic requirements for program eligibility include meeting 125% of federal poverty guidelines and having a shut-off notice on primary or secondary heating source. Elderly age 65 and over and disabled households do not have to have a shut-off notice. Applicants should bring proof of income for the prior month, terminated service notice from the primary and or secondary utility company and social security cards for each household member.

Low-income homeowners are encouraged to apply for Energy Self Sufficiency grant for weatherizing their home. This program helps homeowners develop family budgeting skills and includes an Energy Conservation Workshop designed to help participants achieve the goal of energy self-sufficiency. The basic requirements for program eligibility include meeting 125% of federal poverty guidelines, be a homeowner who pays property taxes, and has not received ESC’s Weatherization Program or ESS program in the past 6 years. A shut-off notice is required for this program. The total dollar amount of assistance available in support of the four-county area is $169,500 through the Missouri Department of Social Services.

Homebound clients should call the nearest ESC outreach office to set an appointment for a home visit. For working clients, appointments after 5 p.m. are available. Additional information may be obtained by calling any of ESC’s outreach offices. The phone number for ESC in Carthage is 358-3521 and the address is 600 E. 6th. Business hours are Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

‘Course to some it appears a fourth option is becomin’ more popular. Rake leafs into the gutter and let the street cleaner remove your waste. This last option is not preferred and in Carthage is in fact illegal. The street sweeper isn’t set up to handle the volume and if it happens to rain while the leafs are in the gutter, it plugs the storm water system. Unlike other illegal acts, this one is hard to hide.

The burnin’ choice has it’s own set of obstacles. A suitable container bein’ one of ‘em. No burnin’ after 7 p.m. and the wind might play into the decision along with your neighbors well bein’. Baggin’ is the cleanest but most tedious. Be careful out there.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Carthage Printing

Here's A Tip

By JoAnn Derson

• "Get in the habit of choosing a monthly ‘safe word’ with your children. This way, if there is ever an emergency when you have to have your child picked up by someone he or she doesn’t know well, that person would have to give the child your safe word. Of course, you should teach your child to never go with someone he or she doesn’t know, but this helps reinforce the rules, since a stranger wouldn’t know what the word is." — J.E. in Colo.

• "I put a dry-erase board on my deep freezer. When I put something in it, I mark it down, and when I take something out, I wipe it off. Now I can just look at the board instead of rooting around inside to see what I have." — M.M. in N.C.

• "Toothpaste will work to get out grass stains. I have two sons who play football, and it is an inexpensive lifesaver." — R.F. in Pennsylvania

• According to the rules of Feng Shui, the life-force energy, or chi, is naturally more serene in the back of the house. That is where your bedroom should be located.

• Bulgur is a great substitute for brown rice. One cup has less fat (.44 grams, compared with 1.8 grams), more fiber (8.2 grams versus 3.5 grams), fewer calories (151 calories to 216 calories) and more folate (four times as much at 32.8 micrograms).

• Foods that can reportedly ease menopause symptoms include soy foods, dark-green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, green peppers, beans, flaxseed and whole grains. You should avoid caffeine, alcohol, excessive salt, red meat and hot and spicy foods (which can bring on or exacerbate hot flashes).