20 November 2014
Have you cleaned your gutters?
More winter weather… Oregon Coast Style… is headed our way tomorrow with lots of rain and wind gusts of up to 50 miles an hour.
That’s not the worst nature has thrown your way, but it is enough to cause damage to your home if you’re not ready.
Karl Newman with the Northwest Insurance Council says winter storms are the third-largest cause of property loss in America, amounting last year to $1.9-billion in insured losses.
Newman says there are some simple things to do that can make big differences. Cleaning out your gutters and downspouts can prevent water damage; trimming overhanging trees and removing dead branches can prevent damage to your roof; and, checking your insulation and wrapping your pipes can protect them from freezing.
Something as simple as knowing where your pipes are located and perhaps more importantly, your water shutoff is, can prevent water damage from broken pipes.
Newman says it’s also a good idea to get out that homeowners insurance policy and call your agent for a quick review so you don’t have any expensive surprises.
Live, Give, and Forgive
Former Register Guard columnist Bob Welch hasn’t slowed down at all since retiring 11-months ago. If anything, the writer and inspirational speaker has stepped things up a notch. He was in Florence promoting his books yesterday and will be back again tomorrow. He’s written 18 in all, ranging from biographical, to inspirational to even children’s books. All have a common theme… there are three things you need for a complete life. The first is to live… no matter what your circumstances, enjoy life to the fullest.
Bob Welch – “Giving is the second one. I think of the 40 years I’ve been a newspaper reporter and editor and columnist and the people that I’ve written about who are the most contented are the people who have lived for something that is greater than they are.”
Some of the unhappiest people have more than enough material things. He cited a story of two very wealthy men in Seattle… they had a neighborhood feud that continued until one eventually committed suicide. That also ties, according to Welch, to the third basic thing.
Bob Welch – “To be bitter, to not forgive, is as somebody once said, is to drink a bottle of poison and expect the other person to die. Because if you don’t forgive somebody, you’re the one that’s going to really pay the price.”
Welch will speak tomorrow about living, giving and forgiving at the Florence City Club meeting; noon, at Ocean Dunes Golf Links. It’s open to the public.
Oregon and Siuslaw Bands at FEC This Morning
40 members of the University of Oregon Symphonic Band, under the direction of Dr. Timothy Paul, will perform this morning at the Florence Events Center. The audience will include band members from Siuslaw Middle School.
Also on stage will be the Siuslaw High School Symphonic Band, under the direction of Chris Rowbotham (RO-bah-thum).
Invited audience members include fifth graders from Siuslaw Elementary School. They are “under the direction of Principal Mike Harklerode”.
The ten AM concert is open to the public.
Reducing Child Abuse and Neglect
Planning for local activities and awareness programs for next spring’s National Child Abuse Prevention Month will be the main focus Friday when the West Lane 90by30 team meets at Mapleton High School. The group will also discuss expanding their committee and follow up on a recent survey recording attitudes and ideas about child abuse and neglect.
90-by30 is a county-wide initiative with the goal of reducing child abuse and neglect in Lane County 90-percent by the year 2030. The local committee is headed by Lynn Anderson from Siuslaw School District, she’ll be joined Friday by Jeskia Kaczenski from the Mapleton District. She’ll take over co-chair duties from Mapleton Superintendent Jodi O’Mara.
Friday’s meeting is from 11:30 to one.
Food Safety Important at Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is just a week away… but now is the time to start preparing. The centerpiece of the traditional meal is the turkey, and if it’s frozen, Susan Kendrick of the Oregon Department of Agriculture says do not defrost it on the kitchen counter.
Susan Kendrick – ““What we’d like you to do is put it in the refrigerator and– you are going to have to plan ahead– it takes about 24 hours for every five pound of turkey to thaw. So if you have a big turkey, you probably need to put it in the refrigerator four or five days ahead of time.”
Undercooking turkey could lead to food poisoning so you want to make sure you use a meat thermometer and cook it to an internal temperature of 165-degrees. Another possible cause of food borne-illnesses can come from handling the uncooked poultry.
Susan Kendrick – ““It is cause for some concern. You want to make sure, when you are doing your prep, that you are avoiding cross-contamination and are keeping the raw meat, the turkey, separate from any ready-to-eat foods.”
Kendrick says using good techniques and common sense will help ensure a safe and satisfying meal for family and friends.
(audio courtesy Oregon Department of Agriculture)
