There are several very simple ways to be more efficient in your use of
natural gas and electricity and to help hold down the cost of your energy
bills:
1) Reset thermostats to a few degrees warmer in the summer, cooler in the
winter.
2) Turn off unnecessary lights and appliances.
3) Replace incandescent lights with compact fluorescents.
4) Change furnace and central air filters often.
5) Lower hot water heater temperature to a reasonable setting.
6) Keep obstructions away from heat and cooling registers.
7) Weather seal doors and windows.
8) Open or close doors, windows and drapes effectively.
Many energy-efficiency measures require you to spend some money to achieve
energy savings, but those savings will far exceed the cost over the life
of the product:
1) New, more efficient heating and/or cooling system.
2) Programmable thermostat.
3) New, more efficient hot water heater.
4) Replacement windows.
5) Additional or replacement insulation.
6) New, high-efficiency appliances. Look for an ENERGY STAR label when purchasing
new appliances to assure energy efficiency.
Sometimes Mother Nature has a tendency to create havoc when the City offices are not open. So the City has decided to put the department personnel phone numbers in this issue so we can pinpoint emergency electric, gas, water and street emergencies immediately. Please post these numbers somewhere handy and only call these City employees if it is an emergency and if it is after the City’s normal business hours of 7:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday.
| Electrical Department: Lonnie Johnson 551-3830 Jay McCord 551-2173 |
Gas Department: Brian Warner 551-2179 Jeff Schurman 551-3839 Tom Kane 551-1233 |
Water Department: Al Mace 551-1418 Tim Ericson 551-1503 |
Street and Sewer Departments: Tim Moothart 551-2768 Rick Bronkhorst 551-1491 |
Phone and Cable Departments: Ron Prothero 551-1821 Mike Miller 551-4040
|
Maintenance Dept: Broc Yesda 278-2117 |
| For Further Assistance:
Superintendent of Public Works — Tom Kane 551-1233 City Administrator — Jason Metten — 551-4770 |
|
Gas connectors are corrugated metal tubes used to connect gas appliances in your home to gas sources.
Certain older gas connectors made of uncoated brass (example shown at right) may come apart and cause a fire or explosion! Take action now!
To our knowledge, these brass connectors have not been manufactured for
more than 25 years, but MANY are still in use.
Not all uncoated brass connectors have this flaw, but all
should be inspected by a professional and REPLACED.
Before you are faced with the possibility of a dangerous
gas leak in your home, any brass gas connectors should be replaced immediately
with stainless steel connectors. Gas appliances in your home that should
be checked include:
Range, oven or cook top, clothes dryer, hot water heater and space heaters
NOTE: DO NOT move an appliance yourself to check
the connector!
This could cause the connector to break, resulting in a dangerous gas leak.
ONLY A QUALIFIED SERVICE TECHNICIAN SHOULD PERFORM
THIS TASK!
Connectors should always be replaced whenever a gas appliance is replaced
or moved from its current location.
If you smell a strong odor of gas or hear a hissing
sound:
• Leave your house immediately!
• Do not use the telephone, cell phone,
turn on lights, open windows or light a match!
• Go to a neighbor’s house and call the number at the right
below:
CITY OF HAWARDEN
551-2565
After hours call:
Brian Warner 551-2179
Jeff Schurman 551-3839
Tom Kane 551-1233
TABLE TALK — Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 21. The Hawarden Library will be holding a special fundraiser entitled "Table Talk" at the Hawarden Community Center from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Decorated tables representing various themes will be featured as well as refreshments. Admission to this event is $5.00. Funds that are raised will be used to purchase a new reader printer for the library. If you have questions, please call 551-2244.
Fall Story Hours for children from 3 - 5 years of age continue during the month of October on Thursday mornings at 10:30 a.m. It is never too late to register by calling 551-2244.
Plans will soon begin for next year’s event. Remember if you would like to serve on a committee or volunteer for a specific event please contact the HAPP office at 551-4433.
Watch for details on future events: Festival Luncheon, Festival of Trees
and Wine/Cheese Tasting.
TRICK-OR-TREATING AT OAK GROVE - Saturday, October 14th
6:30 – 8:00 p.m., Ages 12 & Under, Dress in costume! No Fee to
attend. We will all meet and park at the river area at Oak Grove. The kids
will walk a luminary lit trail leading them to the Deer Run Campground,
where campers will be waiting with candy at their campsites. Afterwards,
there will be a bonfire at the Big Sioux River with smores for everyone.
For individuals who have children in strollers we recommend that you make
alternative arrangements as the trail is not stroller friendly.
Sponsored by the Hawarden Recreation Department and the Sioux
County Conservation Board
High School Bowling Tournament – Saturday, October 7th at 8 p.m. Blind draw, co-ed tournament open to all High school students at Sportsman’s Lanes. Cost is $5.00, guaranteed 3 games. Prizes will be given out. Sign up in the WS High school library.
After-School Bowling League - There will be a youth bowling league starting October 9th, 10th, & 11th from 3:30-5:00 p.m. at Sportsman’s Lanes. The league is offered for K – 8th grade students and will run for four consecutive weeks. Cost is $10 / person. Registration forms are available at the schools and the Hawarden city offices. Sponsored by the Hawarden Rec. Dept. and Sportsman’s Lanes.
Scare Central Youth Trip – Sunday, October 15th
from 6:00-10:30 p.m.
Nightmare on 4th Street & the fear factory in Sioux City. All 7th –
12th grade students are invited to a night of haunted houses filled with
darkness, creatures, and state of the art animatronics. Admission price
is $8.oo for one haunted house or $13.00 for a combo ticket, which includes
both houses. Registration forms available at the WS schools and the city
offices. Deadline: Thursday, October 12th.
Here are some tips from the Hawarden Police Department to
make sure all those little ghosts and goblins enjoy a safe Halloween:
• Be sure that at least one adult accompanies children
under 10 years of age at all times, with a definite route and time- table
set before leaving for trick-or-treating. If you're going door-to-door,
select a route that has adequate street lighting.
• If darkness falls have a flashlight or chemical glow
stick handy, but never candles or torches.
• Approach only those houses with outside lights on.
Not only are youngsters safer in a well-lighted place, but they also may
be more welcome. Often homeowners who don't wish to participate in the trick-or-treat
ritual leave porch lights off as a signal. Respect their wishes and go on
to the next home.
• Remember common-sense traffic rules: Stay on sidewalks,
walk facing traffic, obey all traffic signals and cross streets only at
intersections or crosswalks.
• Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Place
reflective tape on both the front and back of each costume and trick-or-treat
bags for greater visibility.
• Use makeup on children's faces rather than allowing
them to wear masks, which are hard to see through and can make breathing
difficult.
• Be certain that all parts of costumes are flame-retardant,
including wigs, beards and capes.
• The costume should fit well so that the child can't
snag the costume or trip, causing injury. Costumes should be appropriate
for the weather so that trick-or-treaters stay warm, dry and comfortable.
• Be certain that no treats are eaten until an adult
inspects them, discarding any unwrapped or suspicious-looking items.
• Consider having a Halloween party at home. Each year
more safety-conscious groups have Halloween events planned for youngsters
to give them an alternative to trick-or-treating house-to-house.