2012 How To Guide

2 FRIDAY, JULY 27, 2012 AUSTIN DAILY HERALD • HOW-TO

by Wendy Sheehan DonnellPPllaassmmaa oorr LLCCDD?? AAnndd WWhhaattAAbboouutt LLEEDD??Plasma TVs were the only flat-panel models availablewhen they were first introduced more than a decadeago. But given the remarkable rise in the popularity ofLCD TVs in the past couple of years, manymanufacturers have stopped making plasma sets,while the remaining players—LG, Panasonic, andSamsung—are shifting toward producing largerscreen sizes and plasma-based 3D TVs.The popularity of LCD TVs can be attributed to someof the technology's inherent advantages over plasma,including a wider range of screen sizes, a very brightpicture, and better energy efficiency. And LED-backlit LCDs offer even greater energy efficiency andare often thinner than CCFL-based LCDs, especiallyedge-lit LED models. But LED-based sets can sufferfrom some picture uniformity issues like 'blooming',where lighter parts of the picture bleed into darkerones, reducing overall black levels.Plasma's strengths include its very dark blacks, andoverall picture consistency, which (unlike CCFL orLED) doesn't exhibit color shifts, loss of saturation, orreduced contrast when viewed at wider angles.With plasma you don't need to be front and center tohave the best seat in the house. And a plasma'sfast-pulsing pixels are inherently well-suited forminimizing detail loss in fast motion like action filmsor live sports. Also, plasma can give you good bangfor your buck if you want a really big screen.

Choose Your Resolution1080p resolution (1,920 by 1,080 pixels, progressivelyscanned) remains the pinnacle for consumer home-theater material, and all other things being equal, youwant the screen resolution of your HDTV to matchthis format in order to provide the most detailedpicture possible. But many factors affect the per-ception of picture detail, including distance, thequality of your eyesight, and the quality of the video

material. At a viewing distance of 12 feet, it would bedifficult to distinguish between a 720p and a 1080pdisplay showing the same 1080p video (like a Blu-raymovie) if you have 20/20 vision. 1080p is mostcritical with bigger screen sizes, where larger numbersof smaller pixels create a more seamless image. It'sless important for screens smaller than 40 inches,since you'd have to sit very close in order to notice theadditional details. These days, though, 1080p sets arebecoming the norm and no longer command premiumprices. If you can afford 1080p, go for it.

RReeffrreesshh RRaattee aanndd CCoonnttrraassttRRaattiiooOne of the biggest problems with narrowing yourchoices to a single HDTV is the sheer number ofspecs.To make your job a little easier, two of the biggies,refresh rate and contrast ratio, are safe to ignore.Refresh (or response) rate, the speed at which yourTV's panel refreshes its image, is expressed in hertz(60Hz, 120Hz, 240Hz, 480Hz, or 600Hz). The theoryis that the faster refresh rate results in a smootherimage. But in reality, there are several reasons thissimply isn't true, and it's not worth paying more for aset with a faster response rate. In many cases, 60Hzwill do just fine.Contrast ratio is the difference between the darkestblack and the brightest white a panel can display. Intheory, the highest contrast ratio possible is desirablesince dark blacks and bright whites contribute to ahigh-quality picture. There isn't a standardized way ofmeasuring this spec, though, so Samsung's numbersaren't comparable with, say, Panasonic's or Sharp'snumbers. And, as you might imagine, vendors arevying to come up with the highest ratios, so they cancharge more. Always ignore contrast ratios frommanufacturers, and read reviews instead.

Make the Right ConnectionsYour ideal HDTV should provide enough videoconnections not only for now, but for the foreseeablefuture. The most important input is the HighDefinition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), whichsupports most forms of digital video and audio (fromupscaling DVD players, game consoles, set-top boxes,and even some camcorders) using a single cable.Smaller HDTVs should provide a minimum of twoHDMI ports and larger ones at least four. If you planto hook up older analog video devices to your HDTV,make sure your new set provides enough of theseconnectors too, as many manufacturers are reducingthe number of analog inputs on newer sets.

TThheerree aarree ddiissgguuiisseess ffoorr tthhee RRVVttoo aallllooww hhoommee aawwaayy ffrroommhhoommee by Marla BallardYou have your new camper with all the bells andwhistles. You know the one with recliners and a TV. It iswhat you've always dreamed of. It's the best of twoworlds you have the feeling of camping with all theamenities from home; what a perfect disguise. But wait aminute, is there anything you should be aware of? Towatch the TV in the camper may require more than youbargained for. If your TV is a plasma it won't do well ifyou plan to travel through the Rockies or other high-altitude destinations. Anything more than 6,000 feet is notrecommended. Installing an altimeter to monitor yourelevation is one option. Of course, just being aware of thealtitude before your journey begins is the prudent choice.Even when you are not traveling there are considerationsregarding a plasma TV. When the recreational vehicle isparked in the yard the seasonal changes alter thetemperatures inside. The recommended range of safetemperature is 32 degrees to 104 degrees. While thetemperature outside the camper may only be 90 theclosed tin trailer is, in effect, an oven. It is best to removeyour plasma from the camper unless it is temperaturecontrolled. Check the manual on all electronics beforeallowing them in any extreme temperatures. Fortunatelymost locations in the U.S. offer the ability to pick up asatellite signal. The RV's manufactured in the last fewyears are equipped with an outside satellite hookup. Ifyou are using one of these you need to check and makesure the cable connection you are using does not have anamp booster, it could damage your satellite receiver. Onceyou have parked the behemoth, there is more than oneway to get a signal. Don't forget to bring the satellitereceiver remote. Get the menu setup on your satellitereceiver and put the campground zip code in. Now thereceiver will give you two settings, azimuth andelevation. The former is the horizontal positioning of thedish expressed in degrees. Both Dish and Direct TV areessentially pointed toward southern skies, it is best tohave compass as you may be in unfamiliar territory. Itmay take a few times to become good at positioning. It isalso wise to have a spare dish that can be mounted on aportable tripod and easily folded for storage. There aregeneric versions that work with both Dish Network andDirect TV so check before you pay. Another option is tobuy a Sat Finder wherever satellite systems are sold orsome camping supply stores. They eliminate the need tofind your azimuth or elevation. There is also somethingcalled Align-A-Site Satellite Finder. It lets you see theobstacles the dish sees before you set up. It will add abouta couple more hundred dollars to your setup."Stop in today, call us or visit us on the web atwww.newdimensionelectronics.net for more infor-mation. We are your local retailer for over 30 years."

HOW TO BUY A HDTV& TV ON THE GO

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1. Contact Jayna (Director of Catering)

Jayna- Director of Catering. Carry-ing over 15 years of hospitality ex-perience and 6 years of eventplanning, she will be able to assistyou for any event whether you have2 or 500 people in attendance.

2. Needs ConsultationThe moment where we determinethe date of the event, decide size ofgroup in attendance, then choosewhich banquet room will best fityour need. We will setup your blockof guest rooms, all of which are of-fered to your guest at a discountedrate.

3. Tour FacilityTouring our newly renovatedrooms, along with our state of theart event center. The tour also in-cludes our attached bar and grillwhich offers a full menu with dailyspecials, and has some of the bestlive music in town. We also will in-troduce you to our Bistro, which of-fers Caribou coffee, and Free WiFi.This is also newly renovated with acomfortable contemporary setting.Next to the Bistro is our fully en-closed pool, offering a kiddie poolas well as a Hot Tub. We also offera weight room off of the pool areafeaturing treadmills, elliptical andfree wieghts.

4. Event DetailsNow that the size of grouphas been determined, wewill work on the menu. Weoffer a variety of menuchoices, but are more thenhappy to customize anymenu choices you may de-sire. Leave the decorating tous! We have anything fromAudio/Visual equipment to anon site event decorator. We willalso determine your beverage op-tion, and offer a long list of pre-

ferred and professional vendors tofinish all the details and save youtime.5. Leave Your Worries With Us!

Our banquet staff is well-trained,highly-motivated, and upbeat – theywill make your guests their prior-ity. Each employee takes pride intheir work and knows – Whateverit takes for outrageous guest serv-ice, they have the power!

HOW TO PLAN AN EVENT1) Contact Jayna (Director of Catering)

2) NeedsConsultation

3) Tour Facility

4) Event Details

5) Leave Your Wor-ries With Us!

OUR OFF-SITE CATERING

CAN BRING THEPARTY TO YOU!From open houses, company

picnics, cocktail parties, or outdoor weddings, we can provide excellent food, beverage and service at your

doorstep!


Lighting Energy Saving TipsElectric lights account for about 10 to 15 percent of your elec-tric bill. You can save money on lighting with little or no effortor cost. The best way is to turn off lights when they’re notneeded and to not overlight areas. Take a walk through yourhouse and see where you can make these energy savingschanges:• Use “task lighting” wherever possible. In other words, use a

small lamp for reading or working—light the subject insteadof the entire room.

• Don’t use “long-life” incandescent bulbs. They’re less en-ergy efficient than ordinary bulbs, giving off less light perwatt.

• For areas that need a great deal of light, use one largewattage bulb instead of several small ones (one 100-wattbulb actually provides more light than two 60-watt bulbs).

• Use fluorescent lights where possible, they’re much more ef-ficient. Compact fluorescent lamps will fit into normal lightsockets and will save you about $40 over the life of the bulb.

• When buying bulbs, check the package for information.Light is measured in lumens—you want the most lumens perwatt.

• Dimmer controls and three-way switches on lamps can re-duce energy use by allowing you to select the lighting levelssufficient for your needs.

Saving Energy in the KitchenThe refrigeratorThe refrigerator is only a single appliance, yet by itself it is typi-cally the third largest part of your energy bill. If you are facing amajor repair bill on an older model, it’s probably wise to investthat money in a new refrigerator. Today’s new energy efficientmodels will easily cut at least $100 a year from your electricbill. All new models come with information on energy use. Usethis informationin your buying decision. Meanwhile, here are several things youcan do to help reduce your refrigerator’s energy consumption.• Make sure the gasket between the door and compartment

seals tightly by closing the door on a dollar bill and tuggingon it. There should be resistance when you pull on the bill.Do this in several spots around the door. If you find a loosearea, you might only have to clean the gasket. If it is loose ortorn, you may be able to fix it with glue. If it can’t be fixed,contact a dealer that handles your model and get a new gas-ket.

• Keep the coils on the back or at the bottom of the refrigeratorclean and cool to keep it working at peak efficiency. Periodi-cally remove dirt and vacuum the coils. Place the refrigeratoras far away as possible from heat sources such as stoves andradiators in order to keep the coils cool. Also leave a fewinches of space between the coils and the wall to allow cool-ing air to circulate.

• Let hot food cool before storing it and the refrigerator willuse less energy.

• Both the freezer and the refrigerator work more efficiently

when relatively full. Items in the refrigerator should bespaced a little to allow air to circulate around them.

• Cover liquids. Uncovered liquids add humidity, making therefrigerator work longer.

• Invest in a refrigerator thermometer and keep the refrigeratorat the proper temperature. The refrigerator compartmentshould be at 38° to 40° and the freezer at about 5°. For long-term storage in a separate freezer unit, the temperatureshould be 0°.

• Defrosting items slowly in the refrigerator will allow thefrozen food to do some of the work electricity would nor-mally perform.

• When you are gone for a long period of time, clean out therefrigerator, turn it off, and leave the door open to preventmold.

• If you have a second refrigerator, keep it plugged-in onlywhen necessary. Remember, it may cost about $150 a year tokeep it operating. You may not want to pay that much just tokeep the extra pop cold.

Cooking energy saving tipsCooking fuel costs you about $50 to $100 a year. Here are a fewcommon sense, free things you can do to shave a few dollars offthis bill.• Clean the shiny reflectors under the burners to better reflect

the heat. • Clean the gas burners occasionally. Food and grease can clog

the gas ports. The flame should be even and blue.• Adjust the flame so that the tip just reaches the bottom of the

pan. The tip is the hottest part of the flame.• Ceramic or glass baking dishes will cook foods at lower tem-

peratures than metal pans.• Sometimes you can’t resist peaking in the over—just remem-

ber every time you do you lose 25° of heat.• Turn off electric burners a few minutes before the food is

done. The heat left in the burner will finish the cooking.• When possible use the range top or smaller cooking appli-

ances which use less energy than the over.

Automatic dishwasher tips• Use the energy savings cycle if you have one.• Allow dishes to air dry. You can save half the energy your

dishwasher uses by not using the dry cycle.• Use a cold rinse. (A high-quality dishwasher detergent will

do more to prevent spots than either hot water or a hot drycycle.)

Laundry Room Energy Savings Tips• Dry consecutive loads to use the heat left from the first load

and make sure not to let the dryer run longer than needed todry the clothes.

• Keep dryer filters and vents clean. Clean filters after everyload—dirty vents and filters slow air flow and make thedryer use more energy.

• Use the lowest drying temperature possible.

• Don’t vent the dryer indoors. You may gain a littleheat (unwanted heat in the summer) but you are alsodumping into your home a lot of lint and other pol-lutants as well as adding an undesirable amount ofmoisture to the air. Venting the dryer inside hurtsmuch more than it helps.

• Wash in cold water using a cold water detergent.Use hot water only when absolutely necessary. Al-ways rinse in cold water.

• Wash full loads, but don’t overload. If you have anadjustable water setting, use it when washing smallloads.

Summer Cooling Tips• Close shades during the day to reduce solar heat gains. Out-

door shading devices such as awnings reduce heat gainthrough a window by as much as 90 percent while lettinglight in.

• If you’re thinking of planting trees, consider putting them bya window on the sunny side of the house for natural heat-re-ducing shade.

• Leave storm windows on windows that don’t need to beopened, or on windows in air conditioned rooms. They helpkeep the heat outside.

• Use cross ventilation. Put a fan blowing in a window on thecool side of the house which will push out hot air whilepulling cool air into the rest of the house.

Air conditioningAir conditioning puts a tremendous strain on electrical generat-ing facilities, not to mention your own checkbook so the bestadvice is to use other methods of keeping yourself and yourhouse cool whenever possible. Here are a few tips to keep yourair conditioner’s energy consumption down when you do use it.• Set the thermostat at 78° or higher—a reasonably comfort-

able and energy efficient indoor temperature. A 78° settingwill save you about 15 percent or more on cooling costs overa 72° setting.

• Don’t set the thermostat at a colder than normal setting. Itwill not cool the house any faster, but, as with the furnace,will simply overshoot the desired temperature and waste en-ergy.

• Clean or replace filters at least once a month.• Turn off the air conditioner when you are going to be gone

for several hours and draw the shades to keep heat out. Ittakes less energy to re-cool the house when you return than itdoes to keep it cool while you are gone.

• Don’t place lamps or other heat-generating devices near thethermostat since it could sense this heat and make the airconditioner run longer than needed.

• Room air conditioners should fit snuggly to window frames.Close heat ducts in the room and remove or seal up the unitwith plastic after the cooling season.

• Have your central air conditioning unit checked and tunedwhen you have your furnace serviced.

HOW TO SAVE ENERGY


Growing and sustaining a successful busi-ness often requires access to additional cap-ital. Business lenders offer a variety ofborrowing options to suit the unique needsof your business. Term loans provide afixed interest rate and payment over a prede-termined period of time. Line of creditloans offer greater flexibility by allowingyou to only borrow money when you needit. Either option can be secured by a busi-ness asset or as an unsecured loan. Loanssecured by real estate and other business as-sets such as equipment or vehicles are oftenthe most cost effective options. At AccentraCredit Union we work with you to deter-mine the loan type that best fits your busi-ness needs.

Getting StartedWhen requesting a business loan you canexpect to be asked for a number of docu-

ments that provide information about thesetup and performance of your business aswell as your personal financial history.Items that will be required for each businessloan include:

Business Loan Application

Business Financial Statements

Personal Financial Statements

Business Entity Documents

(LLC, S-Corp, etc.)

Business Tax Returns for prior3 years

Personal Tax Returns for prior3 years

Financing for new businesses is availablebut can be challenging to obtain due to thetraditionally high failure rate for start-upbusinesses. New borrowers typically facegreater scrutiny and increased collateral anddocumentation requirements from lenders.For new businesses additional informationsuch as a formal business plan along with fi-nancial projections will be required. A per-sonal guarantee of business debts by allowners is a standard requirement.

What to ExpectSpecific loan terms such as down paymentrequirement, interest rate and re-paymentperiod are based on several factors. Downpayment requirements will vary based onthe type of collateral being offered as wellas the past performance of the business. Asa general rule you can expect to have a min-imum down payment of 20% of the loanamount. Interest rates will vary based onthe term requested, collateral type, past fi-nancial performance as well as other factors.

Re-payment period will primarily be setbased on the type of collateral being offered.At Accentra, we work with our businessowners to establish the terms that best matchtheir unique request to the needs of theirbusiness.

After all required documentation has beenreceived, a loan approval would be providedwithin 1-2 business days. More complex re-quests will take more time and may requireadditional documentation. Accentra CreditUnion understands the local economy andmakes all loan decisions locally.

Deposit ServicesYou will receive interest on all business de-posit accounts, including checking. Ourservice fee structure is simple and easy tounderstand, allowing you to focus on run-ning your business, not balancing yourcheckbook. You will receive same daycredit on deposited funds. This means nomore mid-day cutoff times or uncollectedfunds balances to reconcile.

Additional ServicesUnderstanding that your business needs afull service business partner, we offer a vari-ety of financial related services. Some ofthese services include:• Merchant Processing• Remote Deposit Capture• ACH Origination• Overdraft Protection• Corporate Credit Cards

Pricing for these services varies based on anumber of factors. If you are interested inlearning more, contact a Credit Union rep-resentative.

WHATEVER YOURBUSINESSNEEDS, YOUWILL RECEIVETHE PERSONALSERVICE TO HELPYOU ACHIEVEYOUR BUSINESSDREAMS ANDGOALS.

GUIDE TOBUSINESS LENDINGHOW TO


By Dr. Amy Swain, AudiologistThere are many things to consider when pur-chasing a hearing aid. The first thing any buyershould know is that it will take time to becomecomfortable using a hearing aid and getting it setto your listening preferences. Be patient andcommunicate all of your thoughts about thehearing aid to your audiologist and you will findthat you will be more satisfied with your pur-chase. So what is the first step to take when youare thinking about getting a hearing aid?

1) The first step in purchasing a hearing aid is toget a thorough hearing test. It is very importantthat you have your hearing tested by an audiolo-gist. There are a lot of sales professionals whoare hearing instrument specialists and hearing in-strument dispensers but they are not audiolo-gists. An audiologist is a college educatedprofessional who is trained to diagnose a hearingloss. A diagnosis is important to have so youwill know if your hearing loss could be treatedmedically rather than only with the use of hear-ing aids. After your hearing loss is diagnosed byan audiologist and hearing aids are recom-mended, then you can move forward into dis-cussing your options.

2) Where should you purchase your hearingaids? Most importantly you will want to bevery comfortable with the person you will beworking with when you get your hearing aids.You will need at least 3 or 4 appointments andsometimes more to get the hearing aid set toyour needs. Be aware that it takes time to getthe hearing aid set for your listening preferences.Rarely will the first fitting session be enough.

3) Seek out a professional that carries more thanone brand. One brand of hearing aid does not fitall people. If the brand of hearing aid they areoffering to sell you is the name of their businessthen you can be fairly certain they only sell onebrand.

4)You may have been told by a friend of yoursthat one brand of hearing aid worked well forthem but be sure and listen to the audiologist’srecommendation. The audiologist knows aboutall the different hearing instruments out thereand may have some very good reasons for rec-ommending one brand versus another.

5)Ask the audiologist if the hearing instrumentsare “locked”. Many brand name hearing aidscan only be programmed by an office that spe-cializes in that brand. As a consumer, you wantto be able to see a professional at another officeif problems should arise. Do not buy locked in-struments.

6) Discuss all of your needs with the audiologistwho is helping you obtain hearing aids. Informa-tion such as how often you are in noisy listeningenvironments is important for an audiologist toknow. What kinds of work environment are youin? Do you need to use the phone several timesa day? Do you wear an Oxygen tube? All ofthis information can be helpful in getting theright instrument for you.

7) Discuss all of your options and styles. The au-diologist should be able to explain the cost dif-ferences and why some hearing aids are higherin price than others. Be sure and ask about allthe different styles of instruments and not justdiscuss one type of unit.

8)Ask about the trial period. A consumer has aright to return hearing instruments that are notworking out for them. In the state of Minnesota,the patient has 45 days to wear the hearing aidsto make sure they work for their lifestyle. Keepin mind the need to go back for adjustments ifthings are not working out and don’t just give upon the hearing instruments without discussingany difficulties you are having with your audiol-ogist. Following up with your hearing aids anddiscussing your needs is important.

9)A hearing aid will never be perfect. Keep inmind that a hearing instrument will not bringback your hearing and will not be as good asyour hearing once was.

There are so many details involved it is easy toget bogged down with too much information.Make a list of questions you want answeredwhen you have an appointment so you get all ofthem answered and seek out a professional thatyou feel comfortable with. Asking a friend orfamily member to go with you when you pur-chase a hearing aid is also a good idea. This isone way of making sure you understand all thedetails and get a hearing aid that you can be sat-isfied with.

TIPS IN BUYINGA HEARING AID:1) See an audiologist for

your hearing test first.2) Take your spouse or a

friend with you.3) Go to an office that sells

more than one brand.Franchises primarily sellone brand only.

4) Talk to your audiologistabout your lifestyle todetermine your needs.

5) Remember you have a 45day trial on hearing aidsin the state of Min-nesota.

BUY A HEARING AIDHOW TO

• Receive a complete hearing test free from an Audiologist!

• Free look at your own ear withvideo-otoscopy!

• Free consultation!

PLEASE MENTION COUPONWHEN CALLING FOR APPOINTMENT.

CALL TODAY FOR AN APPOINTMENT TO SEE WHAT BRAND WILL WORK BEST FOR YOU!

Amy Swain---Audiologist----Features newhearing aid technology from many differentmanufacturers!

• Siemens• Starkey • Microtech

• Oticon• Widex• Phonak

• Unitron• Sebotek• Resound


HOW TO SPEND A DAY INST. ANSGAR, IOWA

Side Door AntiquesMaybe antiques are your passion and youhave seen the sign that says Side Door An-tiques. Time seems to actually slow downto a near halt as you stand and gaze atthese items. An old portrait of a stunninglybeautiful baby child has grabbed you. Theinfant, with its beach glass blue eyes islooking at you from centuries ago; "whatwas she thinking" you wonder? Kathy an-swers your questions and chats with youabout the items that have become her life'spassion.

Home Sweet HomeHome Sweet Home is located in a restoredmercantile building built in 1872. Thebuilding orignally served St. Ansgar as aharness and leather reair shop. In 1984,Judy and David purchased the building,and after renovating, opened their busi-ness, Home Sweet Home. In 1994, the ad-joining storefront, occupied by the localbarber, was offered to them. With that ad-dition and with some new construction,today, Home Sweet Home offers nearly6000 square feet of distinctive Americanhome furnishings and gifts. After celebrat-ing 25 years in business, Judy and Davidsold Home Sweet Home to their daughter,Kari. She is a familiar face at the store andis excited to continue on the tradition.Home Sweet Home enjoys looking forunique items to enhance their store andtheir customers’ homes. They want you toenjoy your visit to their store and town.Please stop by and allow them to assistyou with personalized service and smalltown friendliness.

Picket Fence Antiques & GiftsAntiques, memories, and smiles await youin Picket Fence Antiques & Gifts, St. Ans-gar, Ia. Step inside the door and you aregreeted with a warm welcome by theowner, Cheryl Lemmon. She encouragesyou to relax, take your time, and have fun!Every item has a past, present and hope-fully, a future in a new home. Cheryl ishappy to assist you and answer any ques-tions you might have about any of theamazing variety of unique items that fill 2floors! She has hunted and gathered formany years and is anxious to share themwith you. Wander and ponder until some-thing catches your eye. Something that al-ways catches your eye is the sparkle offine estate jewelry! Genuine diamonds andmany colored gemstones dazzle and de-light! To experience the true beauty, youreally must try them on! Cheryl has aknack of finding just the right "bauble" tomatch your style and personality. Greatquality at reasonable prices are found inCheryl's lovely jewelry. You don't want tomiss this beautiful shop-it is "SimplyCharming".

Bel-Aire Estates WineryBel-Aire Estates winery is a small wineryin North Iowa. The company was startedand awarded its winery license in 2006 andproduced its first bottle for sale spring2007. Bel-Aire Estates is located twomiles west of Saint Ansgar Iowa. Our cur-rent hours are daily from 3pm to 6pm. Weare also open by appointment so feel freeto call us at 641-420-7092 or 641-420-7094. If you would like a tasting or tour.Our tasting room is open, so feel free tostop by and check it out.

Blue Belle Inn Victorian Bed and Breakfast and Tea HouseEnjoy the Blue Belle Inn’s StorybookHospitality at lunch (served from 11:30 to1:30 Monday through Saturday - reserva-tions recommended) or dinner (Friday andSaturday nights at 6:30 pm - reservationsrequired). The Blue Belle's unique FondueFeast and home-cooked favorites likeRaspberry Peach Chicken, Rainbow Ravi-oli with Italian Meatballs and GarlicRosemary Cream Sauce, Stuffed PorkTenderloin Roll, and Cottage Pie with aThatched Roof are delicious. Sherrie is thepremier hostess, full of stories and inter-esting history. Check out their website at www.Blue-BelleInn.com for online availability andphotos of their storybook-themed guestsrooms -- spend a romantic weekendtucked away in Heaven to Betsy, GreenGables, or On the Banks of Plum Creek,all with private whirlpools for two. Un-wind in plush king or queen sized beds inSecret Garden, Sherwood Forest or Nev-erNeverland, or invite your friends andhave a Kindred Spirit Retreat at Anne'sHouse of Dreams. Most people come tothe Blue Belle just to relax, but for thosewho like excitement, there are MurderMysteries, Musical Serenades, Wine Tast-ing and Cooking Seminars. Looking forthe perfect present? A gift certificate fromthe Blue Belle Inn is a great way to treatsomeone you love to the romance of thepast and all the comforts of the new mil-lennium.

We now carry Fine Estate Jewelry

2 Floors Full of Treasures!

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Q. How can I properly disposeof the different hazardouswastes that I have at homesuch as old paint, oldgasoline, paint thinner, andpesticides.A. All of these types of materials are consideredHousehold Hazardous Wastes. Mower County has aHHW facility located at 1111 8th Ave. NE in Austin,which accepts these, and other types of dangerouschemicals that you may have in your home. Thefacility is attached to the north end of the RecyclingCenter (the door with the blue awning) and is openevery Wednesday from 8 am to noon and from 1 pmuntil 5 pm (not including a 15 minute break at 10 amand 3 pm). The facility will only accept chemicalsthat are generated by a household from MowerCounty, please bring a drivers license or other typeof identification to prove that you are a Countyresident. The facility does not accept any businesswaste (including farm chemicals), used oil or filters,antifreeze, fluorescent bulbs or unidentifiable wastes.

Q. How can I properly disposeof fluorescent bulbs?A. Mower County does not accept these bulbs.There are however two different businesses inAustin that accept fluorescent bulbs, they are: FoxElectric 433-7184 and Ace Hardware 437-8261.Please check with them for disposal costs and drop-off times. Incandescent light bulbs can be throwninto the trash.

Q. How can I properly disposeof used oil and used oilfilters?A. Most of the service stations in the County takethe used oil and filters from do-it-yourselfers.There is usually a cost associated with the disposalof the filters but most of the service stations willtake the oil for free. Check with the service stationthat you use when having your vehicle maintainedand ask them if they take the used oil and filters.Mower County has a list of service stations thattake oil and filters, please call 437-9551 for furtherinformation.

Q. How do I properly disposeof used appliances?A. There are three different disposal sites in MowerCounty for used appliances. There is a disposal feefor each appliance and the cost depends on the typeand size of the appliance. The Austin TransferStation at 437-4606, SKB Landfill at 433-8131 andVeit Landfill at 433-8633. Please call for thecharges and hours of operation. You can alsocontact your garbage hauler to find out if they havea program to pick up your appliance from the curb.

Q. How can I properly disposeof computers and televisionsets?A. Computers and television sets can be brought tothe Austin Transfer Station. Please call 437-4606for disposal options and hours operation. There is adisposal fee.

Q. How can I dispose of batteries?A. There are a number of different types of batteriesand they all have different disposal options. Allvehicle batteries can be brought to any retailer thatsells vehicle batteries. The retailer does not chargefor the disposal of the old battery, however if youare purchasing a new vehicle battery you will becharged a $5 core charge on the new one and youcan get your $5 back if you bring them a used one,with your receipt, within 30 days of purchase.All rechargeable batteries such as NiCd, NickelMetal Hydride, Lithium ion and sealed lead acidbatteries weighing less than 2 pounds can bebrought to Radio Shack for free collection.All alkaline (flashlight) batteries are non hazardousand can be thrown in your regular household garage.Button batteries (watch and hearing aid batteries)can be delivered to the different retailers that sellthem such as ShopKo and Target. Please deliverthem to the desk within the store where they aresold.

Q. How can I get startedrecycling?A. Stop at the Mower County Recycling Center at1111 8th Ave NE, in Austin to pick up a free set ofbins. We will explain the schedule and give you alist of the acceptable materials, the process takesabout 5 minutes and you will be ready to recycle.Office hours are Mon., Tues., Thurs., & Fri. 1-5 pm.

Q. How do I know what typesof plastics are acceptable atMower County RecyclingCenter?A. The fast and simple rule is that we accept allbottle form plastics with the numbers one PET andtwo HDPE (inside the chasing arrows) on the bottomof the bottle. We also take the number two HDPEbucket shaped containers (without a metal ring orhandle). We do not accept any other types of plastic.And remember that all tops and lids should beremoved and thrown in your garbage.

HOW TO PROTECT THEENVIRONMENT

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Please join in and participate in MowerCounty’s Recycling program. As a MowerCounty resident all you have to do is stop atthe Mower County Recycling Center, 11118th Ave. NE, Austin and pick up a set ofthree recycling bins. Feel free to call ifyou have questions about recycling orhousehold hazardous waste call 437-9551. Office Hours are Mon., Tues.,Thurs., & Fri. 1:00-5:00 pm.

Make a commitment to protectour environment today!


Date post:	10-Mar-2016
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