Today's Feature

Beginning Smaller Fountain Repairs.

Following an unexpectedly high bid for the repair of the Central Park Fountain which was rejected due to a lack of funding, Parks Director Alan Bull and City Administrator Tom Short developed a plan to begin preliminary repairs for the fountain using City employed staff. Bull informed City Council of an intention to begin these repairs as soon as possible at the last Council meeting.

According to Bull, there are several repairs in the concrete which need to be done whether they are contracted or done in-house. Bull said that these repairs can be made as easily by City employees as by an outside company and until another bid process is begun this smaller work can be done to start the process of repairs.

The majority of the work to be done on the fountain pertains the sealing of the concrete in areas where it is cracked or crumbled. The statue has been removed and placed in storage so that it will not be damaged or get in the way during the repairs.

The Public Works Committee meets this evening at 5:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall.

I haven’t heard of any real damage yet, but several I’ve talked to have been concerned about their tomatoes gettin’ frost bit.

Others are more concerned with coverin’ flowers than other plants.

The thing ya don’t hear much is folks sayin’ it’s a really unusual year for weather. As is typically the case, it’s never what ya might expect. This part of the country you can expect ‘bout anything and be right or wrong most of the time.

This time a year ya might as well figure on keepin’ an umbrella, a jacket, a pair of mittens and earmuffs in the car at all times. That along with a swim suit and a t-shirt should just about keep ya covered in all circumstances.

The old timers still think summer is comin’, so I’ve got faith it’ll happen.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Cause of Swollen Ankles Dictates Treatment

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My feet and ankles can swell so badly that I have trouble getting my shoes on and off. My doctor shrugs when I ask why they’re swollen. All he says is to stop using salt. Can you tell me what causes it and what to do for it? — M.E.

ANSWER: Such swelling is called edema (uh-DEE-muh), and it comes from tissues that are soaked with fluid. It takes several quarts/liters of excess fluid before swelling is even noticeable, so when a person has swollen ankles and feet, that person has retained a considerable amount of fluid.

Causes are many. Heart failure is a prominent one. Untreated high blood pressure is another common cause. Failing kidneys make the body retain fluid and produce swelling. Liver cirrhosis is another cause. Obstruction of leg veins makes leg blood vessels leak fluid into tissues. So does keeping the feet dangling down when sitting for prolonged periods of time.

An often-underappreciated cause is commonly used medicines. Anti-inflammatory medicines like ibuprofen can do it, as can cortisone drugs. Calcium channel blockers are a family of popular medicines for blood pressure and angina. They can give rise to swollen ankles. Some names are Calan, Procardia and Cardizem.

The only approach to treatment is finding the cause. Some general measures can help you reduce swelling. Do go easy with your use of salt. When you sit, prop your legs up, and the higher and the longer you prop them, the better.

Collecting
By Larry Cox

Autographs

Q: I have a small collection of autographs. They include mostly popular entertainers such as Keely Smith, Bobby Breen and Kay Starr. Where can I market them? — Jeanie, Bradenton, Fla.

A: You need the services of a good autograph dealer. Be forewarned, however, that the three you listed are probably worth no more than $10 to $25 each. They are fairly common, and like all collectibles, prices are generally driven by three major factors: condition, scarcity and demand.

Ed Serfanik buys and sells celebrity autographs and might be able to help you. Write to him in care of Autographs Plus, P.O. Box 2558, Fall River, MA 02722. For a second opinion, contact Robert Jones, c/o Autograph World, P.O. Box 254, Durham, NH 03824.

Q: I have an old $100 bill issued by the Commonwealth of Virginia in 1862. Does it have any value? — Mary, Belvedere, Ill.

A: You might be able to find your currency referenced in the latest edition of Blackbook Price Guide to United States Paper Money, by Marc and Tom Hudgeons (House of Collectibles, $6.99). It has a section on Confederate bills and has been updated to reflect current prices in the marketplace.