Today's Feature

Accepted the Bid for Repair.

The Public Services Committee approved a bid for the repair of the Central Park Fountain by Concrete Services Corporation of Tulsa in the amount of $50,765.50.

The committee discussed concerns about the bid being higher than the approximate $45,000 budgeted for the repairs. Parks Director Alan Bull told the committee that Jason Ekhart of Sprenkle and Associates was working with Concrete Services to see if there were any costs that could be cut. Additionally the committee discussed the possibility of seeking private funding to span the difference. City Administrator Tom Short recommended looking to the Council contingency fund for supplemental resources. The motion will be brought before Council at the next meeting and will have an emergency request added to get the work started by July 15 if possible.

Steverson Vehicle Still Missing.

The Carthage Police Department is still searching for the white 1992 Oldsmobile Cutlass with red interior and license plate number 815-YAL. The car is sought in connection with the double homicide of Marvin and Peggy Steverson. Police Dept: 237-7200.

I unhooked all speakers ‘cept the one on the dash. Tuned in to the local AM station and there it was. Real old time music.

The fact is the music was always there, ya just couldn’t hear it on a mono radio with a single speaker.

Now, I don’t suppose anyone would make an honest attempt to argue that hearin’ music in that limited manner is "better" than with full acoustic surround sound technology, but to me, it is more pleasurable for certain types of music.

‘Course, I was weaned hearin’ scratchy 78’s of Sousa marches played with a worn out needle. No wonder I’m always a little out of step.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

• "When applying sunscreen on the kids, I use a heavy-duty paper towel to help me out. I put a generous amount on a paper towel (the good, solid kind, like Bounty or Viva) and spread it around good. Then I just wipe the kids everywhere. It helps to use the towel, because it seems to go on more evenly. For some reason, this does not work with a washcloth." — D.D. in Florida

• Freshen clothing that would normally need to be dry-cleaned by hanging it over a bathtub filled halfway with hot water, to which you have added 2 cups of plain vinegar. As a bonus, it will also freshen your bathroom.

• "After hand-washing an item, rather than wringing it out, place it between two towels and just run a rolling pin over the top." — A.D. in New York

• Never add flour or cornstarch directly to a soup or broth for gravy. Dissolve it in a few tablespoons of water first and add gradually. You won’t get the lumps.

• One Sweet Tip from Mrs. E.M. in Pennsylvania: To "shuck" strawberries, use a nonflexible drinking straw. Place one end of the straw on the bottom of a strawberry. Push up gently from the bottom, through the strawberry, and the stem and top will come off with no problem.