Today's Feature

Household Hazardous Waste.

This Saturday, May 19th will be the Household Hazardous waste collection day at the Carthage Fire Department North parking lot from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Examples of Household Hazardous Waste include; oil-based paints, some anti-mildew latex paints, some wood stains, fuels (gasoline, propane, diesel), corrosive cleaners (such as lye-based oven cleaners), drain cleaners, pool chlorine and acid, automotive batteries, Nickel-cadmium batteries, televisions and computer monitors and some pesticides.

Other materials often collected with household hazardous waste include; motor oil (new or used), oil filters, antifreeze, most latex paint and most pesticides.

This is the first year that Haz-M.E.R.T., the hazardous waste collector, has offered the collection of E-waste. Electronic waste can include items such as computers, computer monitors, old televisions and other electronic items.

The Household Hazardous Waste collection day is a free service provided for Carthage citizens. The Public Works Department may be reached at 237-7010 for more information.

I don’t know if he ever got the ride, but he was informed that the occupants of our house were a little busy.

Now I don’t blame the kid for askin’, it just seemed an odd request seein’s how the house was in town. There was a time, livin’ out in the country a few miles, when such a request would have been better received. Someone walkin’ in those circumstances might have been seen as more of a legitimate inquiry.

Some folks walk five or ten miles on a regular basis just for the exercise. From the appearance of this particular youth, that might have been somethin’ for him to consider.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

Click & Clack Talk Cars
By Tom & Ray Magliozzi

Dear Tom and Ray:

How do I know when I should change my spark plugs? I mean, will my car do anything different I was getting my oil changed, and the guy said I should change my spark plugs. How would he even know? Thanks. - Maureen

RAY: Well, generally speaking, there are four reasons to change your spark plugs, Maureen. One is, simply, time. A lot of cars now use platinum plugs that are supposed to last 100,000 mils, so you shouldn’t need to change them often. But if your car has 110,000 miles on it and you know for a fact that you’ve never had your plugs changed, your mechanic would be correct in recommending a new set.

TOM: The second reason we suggest new plugs is if we’ve examined them and found that the electrodes are worn out. When the electrode wears out, the spark-plug gap (the space that the spark jumps between) grows. That leads to reduced mileage and can lead to a misfire, which is when a cylinder fails to fire.

RAY: We might also notice that the ceramic insulation around the center electrode is cracking. That can cause a plug to fail, too. If we notice either of these signs of impending spark-plug geezerdom (ISPG), we’d probably recommend that you replace all of the plugs.

TOM: The third reason we might change your plugs is if you already have a misfire that we suspect is caused by a bad spark plug.

RAY: And the fourth reason we tell our customers they need new plugs is if we got a special "case price" on them from our supplier, and we need more room in our parts department.

RACING
By Greg Zyla
Sponsored by Curry Automotive

What’s With Tony Stewart?

Q: Greg, you always seem pretty honest and don’t brown nose too much. So what do you think of Tony Stewart’s remarks about the "entertainment" caution flags in NASCAR and his saying that NASCAR Nextel Cup is about the same as professional wrestling? Also, did he deserve that $10,000 fine? -- Sandy K., The Carolinas

A: Stewart received the $10,000 fine not for his comments, but for not attending the post-race media conference. It is written in NASCAR’s driver contracts that the top three finishers must meet with the media, so I feel the $10,000 fine is justified.

As for his statements about bogus caution flags and pro wrestling, he made those on his Sirius Satellite radio show the Tuesday evening following the Phoenix race, where he finished second to Jeff Gordon. So, Tony pretty much said what was on his mind, and NASCAR didn’t appreciate the comments one bit.

Stewart was asked to attend a 6 a.m. meeting with NASCAR officials on Friday, April 27, at the Talladega race before he could unload this race car in the pit area.

After the meeting, NASCAR announced that Stewart, who drives the No. 20 Home Depot Chevrolet for Joe Gibbs Racing, was fined $10,000 and placed on probation until Dec. 31, 2007, for failing to fulfill his post-race media obligation following the Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix.

My final opinion is this: I think Tony Stewart is one of the best drivers out there in any type of race car. He’s a real racer. If I had a car, I’d want him behind the wheel of it.