Today's Feature

Sign Permit Open Forum.

The Public Works Committee met Tuesday evening to receive input from sign contractors concerning the newly proposed sign permit. Public Works Director Chad Wampler led the discussion with the help of Jack Fellenzer from Sprenkle and Associates.

John Hipple from Sign Designs in Joplin said that he had been involved with the code writing in Joplin and Webb City and had seen the process and feedback from businesses and contractors. Hipple asked if the proposed permit had been brought about due to complaints about certain types of signs. Wampler said that the complaints the department had received primarily pertained to sign placement and deterioration as opposed to the type of sign.

The Committee discussed the possibility of having different size guidelines for different areas of Carthage, including the historic district and the commercial developments on the South side of town. Hipple offered the Committee his services in the planning of the permit.

Jeff Smith from Dynamic Signs and Graphics asked if the permit would require business to remove the entirety of existing signs upon closing or moving. Wampler said if the sign is in good condition upon the business leaving that it may remain. The committee said that the problem is more with signs left unattended for long periods of time.

The committee will meet again on March 15 where Wampler will review changes to the proposed permit. The outline of the permit comes from an appendix to the International Building Code. The Committee can make additions to best fit the City’s and contractors’ needs and then adopt the amended appendix into the current City building code.

In a staff report, Street Commissioner Tom Shelley announced that the annual asphalt bids would be in on March 14. Shelley also discussed with the Committee problems with the street sweeper and the Capital Improvement 5 year request for the department.

Cost of Gas Rate Reduced.

News release

Missouri Gas Energy received approval today from the Missouri Public Service Commission to set its summer cost of gas rates at $0.68611 per Ccf (one hundred cubic feet), a decrease of about 14 percent form the current rate of $0.83060 which has been in effect since January 1, 2005.

The effect of the proposed rate on a typical residential heating customer’s natural gas bills for the remaining winter season is a decrease of approximately $23 when compared to the rates currently in effect.

The new rate will take effect on March 4, 2005.

The cost of gas, or PGA/COG, portion of a consumer bill is the cost MGE and other distribution companies pay to purchase gas on the open market, plus transportation and storage expensed. MGE does not benefit from the price of gas, only on its delivery. The cost of gas charge typically accounts for about two-thirds to three-fourths of a winter bill.

Cost of gas rates are typically adjusted at the beginning and end of winter, with two additional adjustments available if needed.

Travelin’ cross the prairies seemed like a long trip. Mainly cause the communities out there are few and far between.

On one trip with my mother and us kids we stopped for gas and followin’ dad’s instructions, my brother proceeded to check the oil. As he was examinin’ the dip stick, a gust of western Kansas wind caught the hood and brought it up into the windshield. Finishin’ the trip wasn’t bad, but the long drive home was spent with the thoughts of how dad would react. Fortunately he was familiar with life on the wide open range.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Dear Tom and Ray:

I am an environmentalist who somehow went and hid three kids - one 6-year-old and a pair of two-year-old twins. My husband wants us to get a van or - heaven forbid! - a sport utility vehicle, but I am trying very hard to hold out until a hybrid version is available or the government changes its fuel economy standards. Meanwhile, our Volvo station wagon is pretty much bursting at the seams. Can you suggest any environmentally friendly options for my family and me? - Kathryn.

TOM: That’ a tough one, Kathryn. With three little kids, all their stuff and a bursting Volvo, you certainly qualify for a bigger vehicle.

RAY: Or you have to convince one kid to run away and join the circus.

TOM: I would definitely not get an SUV, because it offers no advantages over a minivan and lots of disadvantages.

RAY: But even minivans are getting larger and more powerful thanks to the obsession with power over fuel economy.

TOM: And hybrid minivans are certainly coming at some point. But not yet.

RAY: So, given that all major minivans offer similar gas mileage, we’d steer you toward the ones that have the best reputation. Those would be the Honda Odyssey and the Toyota Sienna.

TOM: And the Honda now comes with "cylinder deactivation" technology. With that, the Odyssey uses all six cylinders when accelerating, but shuts off three of the cylinders when you’re just cruising.

RAY: That feature boosts the Odyssey’s fuel economy to 20 mpg city and 28 mpg highway. That should be enough to allow you to keep your tree-hugger card for another few years.

RACING
By Greg Zyla
Sponsored by Curry Automotive

NASCAR Payouts Can be Confusing

Q: Greg, I still can’t figure out how a NASCAR Nextel Cup driver is paid for his finishing position. Many times, I see drivers who finish 30th make more money than a driver who finishes 10th. Can you explain, in simple terms, why? — Carol H., New Hampshire.

A: Carol, I receive quite a few questions like this every year, but a simple answer is nearly impossible. The NASCAR Nextel Cup payout includes a lot more than just the finishing position purse. It includes things like the "Winner’s Circle" program, which includes extra money for cars that have won a race the prior year or years, regardless of where they finish.

The car owners earn additional awards based on several special programs, with more money going to car owners who have qualified or attempted to qualify the complete prior season. A new team is not eligible for some of these awards until it has run a minimum number of races. In ending, a new team that finishes 10th in a race will not earn many of the awards until it has run on the circuit for a while. That’s why if Jeff Gordon finishes 20th, he’ll reap things like Winner’s Circle monies, perhaps front-runner awards and pole bonuses, and then the lucrative owner monies, and earn way more than that new team finishing 10th.

Senior News
By Pam Madole
Sponsored by Generations

Watch out for the winter blues

Shortness of daylight, bright colors, warm weather and lack of outings can create the winter blues. What should you do? Pull the curtains and blinds open during those short daylight winter hours. Make sure to use plenty of light in the evening and on days that are dark from the winter weather. Buy higher wattage light bulbs and use the maximum recommended wattage. Artificial light is better than no light.

Get some exercise, walk, stretch regularly, join a fitness program or get an exercise video. Physical activity stimulates chemicals that can improve your mental attitude. Dancing is a great form of exercise and also provides social interaction. Your nutrition is very important too and it’s easy to fall into the habit of eating "comfort food" so take care to eat a balanced diet with a side of exercise.

Listen to your favorite upbeat music, sing along and weather permitting, get out of the house. Do something you enjoy and have some fun. Play cards with a friend, challenge yourself to a crossword puzzle, word search or something to challenge and exercise your mind.

Don’t become a couch potato, television can be a downer and the late news can be depressing. Watching the news before going to bed can disturb you sleep and don’t despair spring is just around the corner.