Today's Feature

AARP Driver Safety Class.

Golden Reflections at McCune-Brooks Hospital is sponsoring an AARP Driver Safety Class on March 8 and 9 in the hospital conference room. The class will be held from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Cost for the class is $10 and reservations are required. Call 417-359-2347 to make a reservation.

The AARP Driver Safety Program is the nation’s first and largest classroom refresher course for drivers age 50 and older. The class has helped millions of drivers remain safe on today’s roads. The eight-hour course is designed to help drivers:

• Tune up driving skills and update knowledge of the rules of the road;

• Learn about normal age-related physical changes, and how to adjust driving to allow for these changes;

• Reduce traffic violations, crashes, and chances for injuries;

• Drive more safely;

• Get an insurance discount. Auto insurance companies in most states provide a multi-year discount to AARP graduates.

By taking the course drivers can expect to learn about current rules of the road, how to operate a vehicle more safely, and some adjustments to common age-related changes in vision, hearing and reaction time. Topics will include:

• Maintaining proper following distance at all times

• The safest way to change lanes and make turns at intersections;

• The effects of medications on driving;

• Minimizing the effect of dangerous blind spots,

• Limiting driver distractions such as eating, smoking and cell phone use,

• Properly using safety belts, air bags and anti-lock brakes,

• Maintaining physical flexibility,

• Continuing to monitor your own and others’ driving skills and capabilities.

Golden Reflections is an organization for persons 55 and older. Golden Reflections offers informational programs, social activities and is designed to assist seniors stay healthy and active.

For more information contact the McCune-Brooks Hospital Community Relations Department at 417.359.2452

Literacy Awareness Week.

March 5 through March 9 is Literacy Awareness Week. The Family Literacy Center of Carthage, 706 Orchard will host several events throughout the week; Tuesday, March 6 a Spelling Bee will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the Light House, 912 N. Garrison. Wednesday, March 7 will feature reading in the afternoon at St. Ann’s School, Fairview and Pleasant Valley schools. The annual meeting will be held Thursday, March 8 with lunch at noon. Friday, March 9 the Literacy Center will hold an Open House from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Stench Report:

Friday,
3/2/07

No Stench Detected on Carthage Square.

The Family Literacy Center has been organized here in Carthage for over a decade and has continually worked to help those who somehow fell between the cracks in the readin’ department. They have also taken on the task of helpin’ folks who learn English as a second language. Not only helpin’ with readin’, but with instruction on basic math skills and day to day tasks of keepin’ a checkbook balanced.

For most of the year they work along without much hype or attention. This week the community has an opportunity to take a look at the efforts and accomplishments of the organization where all volunteers are greatly appreciated.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

This Is A Hammer
By Samantha Mazzotta

Glum Over Glue

Q: I have two questions. First, we are going to take down some old wall paneling from around the tub that was glued to Gyprock with what looks like very good glue. What, if anything, will remove this glue?

Second, can we put (imitation) hardwood flooring on the cement floor in the basement? -- Marvin H., via e-mail

A: Removing old glue from the walls can be difficult for many reasons, including how well it has adhered to the Gyprock (paneling made up of a gypsum core sheathed in linerboard).

The glue you’re dealing with is most likely a wet area paneling adhesive (a polychloroprene rubber-based sealant usually sold next to Gyprock or Sheetrock products). It’s designed to form a flexible heat- and moisture-resistant bond between the wall paneling and Gyprock in warm, humid areas of the house, such as your bathroom.

So how do you clean it off the plasterboard? Start with careful steps, and then progress to tougher measures, since the exact brand of adhesive isn’t known.

First, try heating the old glue with a hair dryer or a heat gun. Bring the temperature above 140 degrees F, and then try to gently scrape away the softened glue with a putty knife, being careful not to tear the sheathing.

If this doesn’t work, a tougher measure is required. Apply mineral spirits or petroleum jelly to the glue, and let the solvents soak in for anywhere from several hours to several days. Try an adhesive remover as well, but make sure it’s the right solvent for the right product (in this case, wet area paneling adhesive). As with any solvent, make sure the room is well-ventilated throughout this process.

As to your second question: Yes, it’s possible to install imitation (laminate) hardwood flooring directly over cement, but I’d recommend against it. Concrete is porous, so a thin (6 millimeter) polyethylene film should be installed over the floor as a vapor barrier to keep out moisture that could cause mold and eventual warping. A foam underlayment is also recommended, to reduce noise.

Prior to installation, make sure that the concrete is clean, dry and flat; fill in any indentations greater than 3/16 inch with a leveling compound, and smooth out ridges in the cement.