City of St. Stephen to collect household hazardous waste
The City of St. Stephen will collect all household hazardous wastes from 8-11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 6 at the St. Stephen City Hall, 2 Sixth Ave. SE. Sponsored by the Stearns County Household Hazardous Waste Facility, this event is free. Check the county website for the list of accepted and not accepted items.
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St. Stephen to host National Night Out festivities
The City of St. Stephen will celebrate National Night Out from 6-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 2 in the Lower Smoley Field. Among the activities are yard games, snacks and face painting, in addition to visiting with members of the Fire Department and Stearns County Sheriff’s Department.
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Don’t forget to register for Bluegrass tickets
The Newsleaders has a limited amount of FREE one-day tickets to the Minnesota Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Fest, a four-day music and camping festival Thursday-Sunday, Aug. 11-14 at El Rancho Manana, Richmond. For tickets, please email advertising@thenewsleaders.com with your name, phone number, city and amount of tickets requested by noon Friday, Aug. 5. Your name will be placed in a drawing and winners will be notified via email.
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Volunteers needed for installing medical equipment
CentraCare Health is looking for volunteers to assist with installing Medical Alert Service equipment in subscribers’ homes. Install and test equipment (training provided). Instruct subscriber on how the equipment operates, complete paperwork with subscriber and return to the Medical Alert Service Office. Mileage is reimbursed. Time commitment is two to three hours per week with flexibility. Contact Megan Richert, CentraCare Volunteer Services, at volunteer@centracare.com or at 320-255-5638.
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St. Cloud VA seeks Vietnam vet photos
The St. Cloud VA Health Care System is committed to publicly thanking and honoring military Veterans who served during the Vietnam War era, and is seeking photographs of area Veterans who served in the military at any time during the period of Nov. 1, 1955-May 15, 1975. In honor of their service, the Veteran photographs will be displayed online and in exhibits at the St. Cloud VA Medical Center and VA Clinics in Brainerd, Montevideo and Alexandria. Participation is voluntary and written consent is required from all participants. Spouses or next-of-kin of deceased Vietnam War era Veterans can also submit photos of their loved ones. Photo submission forms and consent forms are available online at http://www.stcloud.va.gov/news/index.asp, at the Bldg. 1 reception desk at the St. Cloud VA Medical Center, or at each of the VA Clinics in Brainerd, Montevideo and Alexandria.
How to submit a photo:
Make and send a copy of a photo from the time when you were in the service, or a current photo if desired. St. Cloud VA does not want original photos and cannot return photos to donors. When having the photo copied, ask the photo professional to make it the highest quality possible.
Veterans with a digital copy of the photograph can simply fill out and email the signed forms and photograph to Jackie.Stevenson@va.gov.
Photographs can also be submitted by mail. Mail the forms and photo to: St. Cloud VA Health Care System, Attn: Veteran and Community Service, 4801 Veterans Drive, St. Cloud, Minn. 56303.
About the Vietnam War Commemoration:
The St. Cloud VA Health Care System is a Commemorative Partner in the national Vietnam War Commemoration. Authorized by Congress, established under the Secretary of Defense and launched by the President in May 2012, the Vietnam War Commemoration recognizes all men and women who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces from Nov. 1, 1955-May 15, 1975. Nine million Americans, approximately seven million living today, served during that period, and the Commemoration makes no distinction between Veterans who served in-county, in-theater or were stationed elsewhere during those 20 years. All answered the call of duty. By presidential proclamation issued on May 25, 2012, the Commemoration extends from its inaugural event on Memorial Day 2012 through Veterans Day 2025. To learn more about the Vietnam War Commemoration, go to: www.vietnamwar50th.com.
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Electricity tips ease the stress of summer heat
Because temperatures rise in the summer, so can electricity use, and that can put a strain on electrical systems and home energy budgets. Air conditioners are consuming more energy in summer months than at other times of the year, and electrical systems must work hard to power the increased demand. Safe Electricity shares tips to help people stay safe, stay cool, and save money during peak times of summer heat.
The increased demand for electricity can strain a home’s electrical system, increasing the likelihood of an electric shock or fire. During times of excessive heat, the high demand is coming from many homes and many businesses, which can add to possibilities of electrical grid overloads and failures.
“Cooling your home efficiently this summer does not have to be difficult,” said Molly Hall, executive director of the Energy Education Council and its Safe Electricity program. “There are many easy steps you can take to lower your electrical demand in the summer, which also saves you money on your energy bill.”
Safe Electricity suggests some simple ways to improve comfort, save energy and ease stress on a home’s electrical system at the same time:
- Use curtains and blinds to keep the sun out on hot days.
- Make sure ceiling fans are moving in a counter-clockwise direction, which forces air down and creates a cooling effect.
- Operate the thermostat as efficiently as possible. The smaller the difference between your thermostat and the outdoor air temperature, the greater the energy and utility bill savings. Just a few degrees can make a big difference, so set the thermostat as high as comfortable.
- Make sure vents are not blocked. It’s also a good idea to vacuum air registers to remove the buildup of dust and debris that could block cold air from circulating throughout the house.
- A routine annual inspection and regular maintenance of the current unit can help it to run more efficiently. Turn off power to the air conditioner before any work is done on it. Clean or replace filters. Outside, clear leaves and other debris away from the condensing unit. Hose off any accumulated dirt.
- Avoid unnecessary trips out the door in the heat of the day.
- If it gets cool enough at night, windows can be opened to let cooler air in. Then close them in the morning to trap it.
- Seal cracks around the house with weather stripping and caulk to keep cold air in and hot air out.
Some additional options for investing in the energy efficiency of a home include:
- Ventilation is one of the most efficient ways to keep a building cool. Attic vents and fans can help reduce energy costs.
- Consider shading a home by installing awnings over windows in direct sunlight.
- If looking for a new air-conditioning unit, be sure to check out an Energy Star-rated model. Appliances with an Energy Star rating meet and often exceed energy efficiency standards and can end up saving you money over the lifetime of the appliance.
- Make sure a home has the insulation it needs. EnergySavers.gov has information about the best insulation to use in different geographic areas.
Safety is important, so do not simply ignore rising temperatures. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 675 Americans die every year from heat-related causes. Prevent heat-related illnesses by seeking out cool environments, drinking lots of water and wearing light clothes.
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Help serve meals at Place of Hope
Place of Hope feeds three meals a day, 365 days out of the year. Your group, family, business, restaurant, church group, small group study or by yourself can help with a whole meal or any part of one at Place of Hope. You can choose breakfast, lunch or supper. Contact Place of Hope at 320-203-7881.
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Donate food to local shelter
Local food shelves are in need of food this summer. Food shelves are specifically seeking food items that are kid friendly to help parents and their children during the summer months. Suggested food items include canned food with a popped top and no cooking required, peanut butter, tuna, soup, canned fruit and vegetables, cereal, oatmeal, etc. Contact Catholic Charities Emergency Services at 320-229-4560; Place of Hope at 320-203-7881; or the Salvation Army at 320-252-2229.
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