Today's Feature
Council Approves Rezoning Bill.

A bill rezoning the property at 1220 Grand Street from residential to commercial zoning was approved unanimously and without discussion at the City Council meeting on Wednesday. Jackie Boyer was not in attendance of the meeting.

Another bill in its second reading, authorizing the Mayor to enter into a lease with Chad and Pam Sturgeon for use of the pavilion in Municipal Park as a skating rink was approved unanimously by the Council.

There was no discussion during the first reading of the ordinance adopting the sediment and erosion control plan, but the plan was outlined by Councilmember Bill Johnson during his report. Johnson, the Public Works Committee Chairman, said that the only two things to be decided before the adoption of the plan were the size of land to which the ordinance will be applied and the cost of permits.

Council accepted the $42,365 bid from Fabick Cat for a Caterpillar backhoe which will be used by the street department and approved the 3.75 % financing on the backhoe from UMB as recommended by the Finance Committee.

Take a bath. Not just a luke warm, middle of the road type washin’, a hot-as-you-can-stand-it type a soaker. Then get wrapped up and keep your body temperature up as long as you can. Might mean sweatin’ a little, but it’s a lot less miserable than carryin’ a cold around for a week or two and passin’ it around.

From what I’ve been told, the trick is that a virus can’t survive in a vary wide temperature range. Get onea the little critters a couple a degrees too hot and they can’t take it. Gettin’ your body temperature up not only lets ya relax those achin’ muscles, it gets rid of the virus all together.

‘Course that nap ya take in the tub is an added bonus.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Metcalf Auto Supply

Click & Clack Talk Cars

By Tom and Ray Magliozz

Dear Tom and Ray:

Hi, guys! As you’ve probably heard, Cuba is full of classic American cars from the 1950’s (imported before the Castro revolution of ‘59) and they are still being driven. A recent article in National Geographic Traveler states: "In stages of repair, some hidden in falling shacks, most driven proudly around every town." This same article mentions that the average Cuban worker’s wage is $13 per month, and that the article’s photographer "brought spark plugs from the U.S. and gave them as tips to my drivers" I will be (legally) traveling to Havana soon, to present at an international education conference. I would love to bring along some small automotive parts for gifts and tips, but I know nothing about classic American cars and the things that keep them running. What sorts of spark plugs should I buy? Where can I get such things inexpensively? What other small auto parts might be appreciated? Thanks - Kathleen

TOM: I’d toss a few transmissions in your Samsonite, Kathleen. And then stuff a differential or two into your carry-on bag.

RAY: Actually, spark plugs are cheap, desirable, and easy to carry. You want plugs for, say, 1955-1959 GM, Ford and Chrysler six-cylinder engines. Any local auto part store ought to be able to get that stuff for about a dollar a plug.

TOM: If you want to make some people really happy, pick up some ignitions points, condensers, distributor caps and rotors. Those are still relatively cheap and cars won’t run with out them.

RAY: The U.S. government frowns on taking anything into Cuba that augments its economy. You’ll want to check first, and make sure your gifts would be legally allowed.

Natural Nutrition

By Mari An Willis

What’s new? Lots of people using essential oils. The following is a list of commonly used oils.

Basil - Uplifting and refreshing. used for poor memory, confusion, indecision, depression, fear, paranoia, mental stress, and fatigue.

Bergamot - Relaxing, refreshing and uplifting. used for anxiety, nervous tension, and depression.

Clary Sage - Warming, relaxing, euphoric, aphrodisiac. Centers the mind. Used for PMS, depression, anxiety, hyperactivity, panic, fear, paranoia, and hysteria.

Geranium - Stimulating, uplifting, energizing. Special affinity to the female body. Used for anxiety, depression, tension, PMS.

Jasmine - Stimulating, euphoric, aphrodisiac. Increases confidence. Used for depression, lack of libido.

Juniper - Refreshing, stimulating, detoxifying. Used for poor memory, mental stress and fatigue, apathy, lack of energy.

Lavender - Balancing, relaxing. Used for nervous tension, depression, headaches, insomnia, impatience and irritability.

Peppermint - Cooling, refreshing, stimulating. Used for poor memory, depression, melancholy, confusion, indecision, nausea, congestion.

Racing

By Greg Zyla

IROC Gets Vote of Confidence

It wasn’t long ago that doomsayers were indicating that the International Race of Champions was a series just waiting to go away.

Well, you won’t hear that any longer. Late last month, officials of IROC, which is sponsored by Crown Royal, announced that the renowned series would again run a four-race schedule in 2005 with the champion earning a $1 million prize. The series matches 12 of the best drivers from different divisions of auto racing in equally prepared cars to battle for supremacy. The drivers who don’t win the championship receive $80,000 for their efforts.

The series kicks off for the 25th year at Daytona on Feb. 18, 2005, and will re-visit the same tracks from 2004, namely Texas Motor Speedway in April; Richmond International in September; and the finale at Atlanta Motor Speedway in October.

Jay Signore, president of the IROC Series, says, "The IROC season-opener at Daytona during Speedweeks is like a homecoming every year, and it’ll be extra special celebrating our 25th race at the Speedway."

Senior News Line

By Matilda Charles

Senate Drops the Ball

As I write this, it appears that the Senate has once again failed, in the face of strong drug-company lobbying, to permit reimportation of prescription drugs from Canada, as well as Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Switzerland.

A bipartisan bill (S 2328) was introduced by Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., and Sen. Olympia Snow, R-Maine, earlier this year and seemed to have support from most members. But with Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., leading the opposition under the specious claim that the reimported drugs might not be safe, the Senate let its chance to do something right for seniors (and others who need affordable life-saving drugs) pass.

The fact is we’re talking about reimporting the same drugs our home-based companies have sold to the other countries. To insinuate they might be harmful is to imply that the American companies that make them are producing unsafe products.

As I’ve said before, we have to push the new Congress into acting on behalf of the American public and not the companies that can afford to pay high-priced lobbyists to make sure their profit margins remain high.

On that note, you might like to know that while seniors and other vulnerable members of the population continue to be denied access to potentially life-saving flu vaccinations because of the ongoing shortage, Sen. Frist opened a clinic in his Senate office where flu shots were provided to a number of lawmakers as well as to their staffs, who were described as generally young and fit.

artCentral

artCentral Holiday Bazaar Offers Eclectic Artistic Gifts

If you have a family member like my sister who seems to already have everything, finding a unique AND affordable gift can be a challenge. Fortunately, this year’s Holiday Bazaar at artCentral, 1110 East 13th, is a lifesaver for me....maybe for you, too!

From now until December 22, you’ll find original art, one-of-a-kind items, the beautiful and the bizarre, either created, crafted or collected by our generous members for artCentral’s final fundraiser of the year.

Among the items that caught my eye were a chunky turquoise necklace and a really neat choker made from fan-shaped vintage beads. There are artists’ cards, bookmarks, Eskimo soapstone engraving, ceramic vessels, and a limited edition, signed poster of Mark Twain School by Lowell Davis.

Last Friday night at John Fitzgibbon’s opening reception, a lucky art lover grabbed the lusciously soft, handwoven hood scarf I wanted for a Chicago friend. Another delighted shopper picked up the wild and crazy "Flying Buffalo" sculpture that night.

For traditional tastes, there’s a like-new silver serving piece engraved with "Merry Christmas", modestly priced original artwork, and inexpensive prints ready for framing. The animal lover or favorite grandchild on your list might just love the highly collectible mohair bears, yorkie, or birdie on display.

My sister’s going to be unwrapping a lovely blown glass ornament, if I can just decide which one she’ll like best....

Sponsored by

Oak Street Health & Herbs