Today's Feature

Internet Safety Program.

News release

Cyber Seduction, a free prevention education program presented by Barceda Families, will be held at 7:00 p.m. on November 30th at Carthage High School Auditorium. The program will provide important information on child internet safety and help those attending understand the risks of cyber predators, identity theft, and cyber harassment. Additional topics will cover instant messaging, email and chat rooms.

Statistics indicate that 1 in 5 children under the age of 17 has received unwanted sexual solicitation on the internet; 1 in 33 children has received an aggressive solicitation to meet someone; 1 in 4 children between the ages of 10 and 17 has been exposed to unwanted sexual material online; there are over 3,000 hate sites on the web’ and there are more than 100,000 sites selling unlawful child pornography and over 400,000 sites featuring adult pornography.

According to coordinator, Corrine Waggoner, "Carthage R-9 School district and Carthage Caring Communities are bringing the program to the area because most children know more about the internet than their parents do. The program assists parents so they can stay in tune with what their children are doing on the internet and it provides tools for adults to use the internet more wisely themselves." For additional information contact Corrine Waggoner at 417-358-3270.

Ya gotta wonder about those folks who invented the things we take for granted ever’ day. Things like the paper clip, pencil, and most important, the eraser. I wonder if the guy who invented the "Phillips" screw head figured on seein’ it become so common.

A lotta things grew outa rustic tools of some sort, I suppose. Things like the rake or hoe. Over the years they were just improvements of what they had always known. The things I’m talkin’ about grew out of necessity that prob’ly wasn’t so obvious to most.

There was no need for a "coaster" until folks had furniture that was worth protectin’. I really like that little rubber ball that swings out to keep the screen door from slammin’ and wakin’ me up. Now that’s real genius.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

This Is A Hammer

By Samantha Mazzotta

Fixing a Flickering Fluorescent Light

Q: I’m embarrassed to ask, but how do you change a fluorescent light tube? The light above my garage worktable is flickering, and I guess it’s burning out. — Lucy T., Jacksonville, Fla.

A: Don’t worry, you’re not the only person out there who’s never changed a fluorescent light! These long, thin tubes (they’re filled with a gas that glows when energized) are mostly found in office spaces, where maintenance crews switch them out, and they last quite a long time — three years on average.

Before paying for a replacement tube, check to make sure the one that’s flickering is not simply loose. Turn off the light switch and climb to a point where you can work comfortably. Grasp the tube with your fingertips, spreading your arms out as close to each end of the tube as possible so that you have good control and the tube doesn’t fall or break. Now, gently rotate the tube (either forward or back, you’ll feel the correct way) until it snaps firmly into the sockets on either end. Turn on the light switch and see if the tube still flickers.

If it does, turn off the light and inspect the tube closely. Look for signs of discoloration on the ends: worn-out tubes typically have a dark-gray discoloration. Carefully rotate the tube out of its sockets and check the pins on both sides to see if they are bent or broken. If any of these signs are present, it’s time to replace the tube.

Take the old tube to the home improvement store so you can buy the matching size. Install the replacement by carefully sliding the pins into the sockets on each end, then twisting about a quarter turn in either direction to lock it in place.

If the new tube continues to flicker, there is a problem with some part of the fixture. Have a person experienced in light-fixture installation either locate and change the parts that are defective or replace the entire fixture (which sometimes costs less).

HOME TIP: Fluorescent light tubes contain a very small amount of mercury, so don’t just throw them in with the household trash. Contact your city or county’s hazardous waste disposal or environmental agency for instructions on disposing of these tubes.