HomeMy WebLinkAbout07JULY 2001
City of Chubbuck NEWS
P.O. Box 5604
5160 Yellowstone Ave., Chubbuck, ID 83202-0006
Phone (208) 237-2400
WATERING DO'&and DONT'S
DO: water on when necessary
water only as much as needed
water in the morning or evening
DON'T: use sprinklers during rainstorms.
use sprinklers if it's windy.
let water run into gutters.
Sunny spots need more water than those that are
shaded, but sprinkling during the heat of the day
results in waste from evaporation, and watering in
full sunshine causes the lawn to bum.
If a probe (e.g., a screwdriver) inserted into the
ground is moist at a depth of 3- 4", or if you leave
no footprints when walking on a lawn, it does not
need water. Apply only 1" of water at a time. The
amount can be measured by setting a pan under the
sprinkler. Watering could take as little as 1/z hour.
Automatic sprinkler systems can save water only
with proper installation and use. They should give
head-to-head coverage with no runoff into unwanted
areas. Ideally, your landscape plan needs to be laid
out at the same time as the sprinkler system. Low-
water zones can be most efficiently handled with a
drip system or with soaker hoses covered by mulch.
Some soaking systems may now be installed under-
ground to prevent evaporation.
LAWN TIPS
• If you can, use a mulching mower.(It may be pos-
sible to convert your present mower.) Shredded clip-
pings protect roots from the sun and add nutrients
to the soil.
• Set your mower so it cuts blades of grass at an
average height of 2". Shorter grass is more likely to
bum and look brown.
• Allow grass to become 3- 4" tall. Mow according
to blade height, rather than on a regular schedule.
Growth is rapid at the beginning of the season but
slows with the heat of summer.
• Recycle your grass clippings if you don't mulch
them into the lawn. Scatter them in flower beds,
around other plants, or in rows of a garden to retain
moisture and reduce weeds. You can also recycle
them into a compost bin and spare the landfill.
• Fescue grasses may take only half as much water
as bluegrass and needs less mowing. They are natu-
rally resistant to weeds and disease, as well. Research
shows sprinkling lawns in western states comprises
30% to 50% of the total amount of urban household
water consumption. A good way to approach con-
servation is through the type and method of land-
scaping we choose for our yards.
FERTILIZING LAWNS AFFECTS WATER SUPPLY
Chemicals used on lawns can be a source of pollution through runoff water. This is a point in favor of
switching from bluegrass to new improved turf -type fescue or other low maintenance grass. Bonsai tall
dwarf fescue is much more effective than Kentucky bluegrass in keeping out weed and insect invaders and
also requires 1/s less fertilizer.
Fall fertilizing should be divided into 1/a the yearly total about mid-September and 1/z in October. This is the
lawn's major food supply. One-fourth the yearly total, applied in May, acts as a stimulant and is optional.
Using manure or compost rather than a commercial fertilizer helps avoid sometimes unnecessary additions
of both herbicides and pesticides, which kill worms and other beneficial organisms. Using manure or
compost rather than a commercial fertilizer helps avoid sometimes unnecessary additions of both herbi-
cides and pesticides, which kill worms and other beneficial organisms. Qualified personnel can prescribe
the right fertilizer for your lawn.
XERISCAPING
This word, originally a trademark of the Denver, Colorado Water Department, comes from the Greek
"xeros," meaning dry. Water -smart landscaping is a matter of choosing plants that will thrive under given
conditions, and grouping them together. As you study your yard, divide it into water use zones. Where does
the sun shine and for how long each day? What kind of soil do you have and how does it drain?
In xeriscaping, the "oasis" zone is closest to the house and hardscaped areas. The oasis should be the
smallest zone, since it will require more frequent watering and maintenance, particularly if it is on a sunny
side.
A simple way to reduce the amount of lawn care and water use is to increase shade. Doing so will also cool
your house by as much as 50%. In addition, trees serve as windbreaks and shield homes from snow, lower-
ing heating costs as much as 30%. Dozens of colorful flowers, shrubs, and attractive ground covers are
available to complete your landscaping in low-
water and low -maintenance species.
MORE OUTDOOR WATER SAVING TIPS:
• Sweep driveways, sidewalks, and steps rather
than hosing off.
• Wash the car with water from a bucket, or
consider using a commercial car wash that
recycles water.
• When using a hose, control the flow with an
automatic shut-off nozzle.
• Avoid purchasing recreational water toys that
require a constant stream of water.
• If you have a swimming pool, consider a new
water -saving pool filter.
• Lower pool water level to reduce amount of
water splashed out.
The City was going to arrange a parade for July 4,
but we decided that the timing would be much bet-
ter in August for this kind of celebration. So,
Chubbuck Days has been rekindled. Plans are still
forming for a parade down our newly completed
Chubbuck Road, and possibly other smaller events,
the third week of August. If you, your club/group,
or your business can add your own inspiration to
fire up the parade, please call DeLaina in Public
• Use a pool cover to reduce evaporation when Works at 237-2430. It's time for us to celebrate a
pool is not being used. great summer in our great community!
Excerpt Idaho Falls Better Business Bureau News Letter Dated 05/18/01
Beware of returning messages on your answering machine or pager from anyone with the following area codes:
242, 246, 264, 284, 345, 411, 473, 664, 758, 767, 784, 787, 809, 868, 869, 876
According to the National Fraud Information Center, these are area codes from the Caribbean. If you return a call
from the U.S. that begins with one of these area codes, the charge is over $2,400 per minute and your local and
long distance carriers will not be able to `write off' the charge. You can contact your phone service carrier to see
if calls with these area codes can be blocked.
—Nancy Dixon, Communications Supervisor
Chubbuck Police Department
Chubbuck Police Uepartment
City of Chubbuck Residents:
Summer is upon us. Along with the rise in tem-
peratures, the Chubbuck Police Department also
anticipates a rise in certain types of criminal ac-
tivity. With your assistance, we hope to prevent
many of these crimes from occuffing, and ask that
you be watchful of your neighborhoods, so we can
apprehend the people responsible when the crimes
do occur.
School is out for the summer. While the majority
of the students will enjoy their vacation lawfully,
others will likely take advantage of the free time
and do damage in the community. Please be mind-
ful that Chubbuck has a curfew of 10:30 PM to 5
AM for anyone under the age of 16 and 12 AM to
5 AM for persons 16 and 17 years of age. Also,
all Chubbuck parks are considered closed at dark.
If you see juveniles out after these times , please
contact our office, and we will make every effort
to check on these individuals and take appropri-
ate action as needed. Also, call our office if you
see suspicious people or vehicles in your neigh-
borhoods. In recent months, observant citizens
have reported suspicious activities, and several
crimes have been solved and/or prevented as a
result.
With the hot temperatures, there is a tendency to
leave vehicle window down. Last summer, we ap-
prehended several individuals who admitted to us
that they walked through neighborhoods, looking
for unlocked vehicles, as well as vehicles they
could open by reaching in a window. When they
found vehicles they could get into, i
they stole valuable property from
inside. Please secure your ve-
hicles, even if you will only be "
away from them for a short time. v
Many residents will be taking vacations over the
summer, and we ask that you assist us in watch-
ing out for your neighbors while they are away.
The Chubbuck Police Department provides vaca-
tion checks free of charge upon request. As time
permits, our officers check on the property of citi-
zens who have advised us they will be out of town.
Despite this service, we often are not as aware as
you when your neighbors leave on vacation. You
also know better than we do who belongs in your
neighborhoods. When you witness suspicious ac-
tivity, please get as many details as you can safely,
and report the incidents immediately to the po-
lice.
Please assist us in making this city a safe and se-
cure community. We encourage you to team up
with your neighbors to make sure your neighbor-
hoods work together to reduce your chances of
becoming a crime victim. Thanks again for your
hard work.
Sincerely,
Steve Young, Community Policing Officer
Chubbuck Police Department
5160 Yellowstone, Chubbuck Idaho 83202
Dispatch: Emergency 911
All other (208)237-7172 Fax (208)237-0944