Today's Feature

Salvation Army "Tools for School."

The Salvation Army is preparing for Tools for School, a program which has helped provide school supplies for hundreds of regional children. Contributions are currently being accepted from the community.

Supplies including backpacks without wheels, paper, pencils, pens, glue sticks, bottles of glue, erasers, etc. may be donated at 125 E. Fairview. In the past the Salvation Army has purchased many of these items additionally, and for that reason cash donations are also being accepted. Volunteers are also welcome to help distribute supplies on Friday, August 10.

For those needing school supplies, applications will be accepted beginning today, July 16 through Tuesday, July 31. Applicants must apply at 125 E. Fairview between the hours of 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon, and 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The supplies are available for children grades 1 through 7. In order to register the head of household must bring their photo identification.

Public Safety Meets Tonight.

The Public Safety Committee will meet this evening at 6:30 p.m. in the Carthage Fire Department.

One a the biggest mysteries I have encountered is why they put bright red labels on those individual servings of grape jelly at the restaurants. Red labels should be on strawberry. Purple on grape. The only thing I can figure is that more folks use strawberry and they are tryin’ to fool us into usin’ more grape. I don’t know.

Another thing is the day I was lookin’ for butter in the grocery store and ran across some stuff that was labeled as "imitation margarine." What in the world could that be? That’s like makin’ hamburger patties out of "imitation soybean meal." Could be it works like the math formulas where two negatives make a positive. Imitation margarine would actually then be real butter?

Perhaps there are some things I’m not supposed to understand.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

This Is A Hammer
By Samantha Mazzotta

Bachelor Can’t Keep His Bathroom Clean

Q: When my mom came to visit my apartment last week, she said she was appalled at the state of the bathroom. I admit it’s a little grungy, but I don’t have the time to scrub it from top to bottom every week. Is there a fast way to clean it so it passes muster the next time my mom visits unannounced? -- Kyle B., Atlanta

A: Yes, there is a fast way, but it’s going to take an initial investment of time and then a minor devotion to consistency. If you can meet this challenge, however, you’ll never have a grungy bathroom again -- and the rest of the apartment may improve, too. Plus, being able to clean up after yourself is extremely attractive to the ladies. Believe me.

Here’s what you have to do:

--Declutter: Remove old magazines, empty the trash can, move the laundry hamper out (temporarily, at least), throw out old or unused lotions, creams, gels and other accessories, and clean out the medicine cabinet.

--Prep for the first cleaning: Put all the towels into the laundry. Place all countertop items into a box or basket and take out of the room for now. Same with shower items. Take down the shower curtain; if the liner is very dirty or moldy, throw it out and purchase a new one.

--Do a "big" cleaning: Starting from the top down, clean cobwebs from the ceiling with a broom. Wipe down painted wall surfaces with a cloth and mild soap and water (pay attention to the baseboards). Clean bath tile with a mold-fighting tile cleaner and rinse. Scrub the toilet. Wipe down the outside of the toilet with a disinfecting cleaner and hot water. Clean the sink, countertops, towel racks and bathtub, and rinse clean. Lastly, sweep the floor, then wet-mop with disinfecting cleaner and hot water, rinse and let dry.

--Maintain: Set aside just 15 minutes every week to clean the bathroom. Declutter by placing all counter items into a box. Then just wipe down the counters, sink and tub; scrub the toilet, and clean the medicine cabinet mirror. Spread out the shower curtain liner and spray with a disinfecting cleaner or a mold-fighting cleaner, let sit while you sweep the floor, and then rinse off. Empty the trash, and you’re done.

HOME TIP: Consistency is the key to a clean apartment: Set aside 15-30 minutes per room, weekly, to clear out clutter, dust and sweep.