Local Graduates Awarded Scholarships
As part of its commitment to
community, Linn County REC
awarded scholarships to the following
students for the 2015 - 2016 college
year:
Alexis Brannan, Cedar Rapids, will
attend the University of Iowa.
Sabrina Bretz, North Liberty, will attend Iowa State
University.
Lauren Brown, Cedar Rapids, will attend the University of
Iowa.
Magellan Southwick, North Liberty, will attend Iowa State
University.
Shelby Malone, Central City, will attend the University of
Iowa.
Alyssa Deuso, Cedar Rapids, will attend the University of
Northern Iowa.
Lucas Kramer, Central City, will attend Kirkwood
Community College.
Emily Barmore, Cedar Rapids, will attend Kirkwood
Community College.
Lucas Looney, Wheatland, will attend Northwest Iowa
Community College.
Avocado Salsa
1-2/3 cups frozen corn, thawed
2 cans (2-1/4oz) sliced ripe olives, drained
1 sweet red pepper, chopped
1 small onion, chopped 5 garlic cloves, minced
1/3 cup olive oil
1/4 cup lemon juice
3 tbsp cider vinegar
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
4 ripe avocados, peeled Tortilla chips
In a large bowl, combine corn, olives, red pepper
and onion. In a small bowl, combine garlic, oil,
lemon juice, vinegar, oregano, salt and pepper.
Pour over corn mixture and toss to coat. Cover
and refrigerate overnight. Just before serving,
chop avocados and stir into salsa. Serve with
tortilla chips. Yield: about 7 cups.
Fact or Fable? Ben Franklin Discovered
Electricity
This is fable. Electricity was known to science long before
Franklin began his famous experiments.
Experiments with electricity and magnetism were first
conducted in ancient times. However, the founder of the
modern science of electricity was William Gilbert, a 17th
century English physician. Franklin was, however, a pioneer in
the study of electricity.
Benjamin Franklin’s contributions
Until Franklin’s time, electricity experiments were confined to
static electricity and scientists assumed that electric charge was
created by friction. Through a series of experiments, Franklin
concluded that all matter contains electricity and that rubbing
two objects together merely transfers electric charge from
one to the other. To describe this phenomenon he coined
the terms positive and negative charge, which are still in use.
Franklin also built and named the first electric battery.
The kite flying experiment
Franklin conceived and performed his famous kite flying
experiment in the summer of 1752. With the help of his
son, Franklin flew a kite with a wire protruding from the top
and a key hanging from the bottom of a wet string. When
the key drew sparks, he collected some of the charge in a
Leyden jar and found that it performed similarly to electricity
produced in a laboratory. “Thereby the sameness of electrical
matter with that of lightning,” he reported in a letter, “was
completely demonstrated.”
May 2015
LINN COUNTY RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
How To Make Your Lawn Work For You
A well-designed landscape will not only add beauty to your home, but can help save
on heating and cooling costs. Trees are a practical, low cost way to save energy for
your home and other buildings. According to the US Department of Energy, the
proper placement of just three trees will save an average household between $100 $250 in energy costs per year. The larger the tree at maturity, the greater the energy
savings for the homeowner.
Shading: Shade trees should be planted on the southeast, south and southwest side
of your home to provide maximum summertime roof shading. Deciduous trees with
high, spreading crowns work best on the south side. Trees with crowns lower to the
ground are more appropriate to the southeast and southwest where shade is needed
for morning and lower afternoon sun angles. You also want to plant to shade air
conditioning units and as many windows as possible.
Windbreaks: Dense, evergreen trees and bushes planted on the north and northwest
side of your home can help to reduce the force of the wind on your outside walls
and thus the amount of outside air that enters your home.
Monthly payments will be equal
to 1/12 of your estimated annual
billings based on your usage
history. To reduce the possibility
of overpayment or underpayment,
periodic reviews ensure that
payments are adequate to cover
usage.
While Franklin did not discover electricity, he did much to
increase our understanding of it.
Office Closed
Linn County REC offices will be closed on May 25th in
observance of Memorial Day. A 24-hour bill payment drop
box is available at the Marion office. Payments can also be
made 24 hours a day at our North Liberty kiosk.
WWW.LINNCOUNTYREC.COM
, the official publication of Linn County Rural Electric Cooperative,
is published monthly for members of Linn County Rural Electric Cooperative,
5695 REC Drive, P.O. Box 69, Marion, Iowa 52302. © Copyright 2015
Summer is right around the corner.
Are you looking for a way to avoid
the seasonal ups and downs on
your utility bill? Know what your
bill is going to be every month with
budget billing. This plan allows our
residential members to pay in equal
monthly installments so you know
how much to budget for your Linn
County REC bill.
Immediate Surroundings: Consider the conditions in the area right around your
home when identifying landscaping options. For example, if your home is southfacing, it may require more landscaping to help keep it cool in the summertime.
Franklin’s experiments led to his invention of the lightning
rod. In 1752 Franklin installed a grounded metal rod to
protect his home from lightning strikes. Later that fall,
Franklin published instructions for installing a lightning rod
in Poor Richard’s Almanac, and lightning rods soon began
appearing all over Europe and America.
LINN COUNTY RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
Avoid Seasonal Ups
and Downs
For more ideas about how landscaping can help you save on your energy bill, download
our “Your Roadmap For Selecting and Planting Trees” brochure at www.linncountyrec.com/
safety-and-education/publications1/
If you would like to set up budget
billing on your account or would
like more information, please
call our office to speak with a
Consumer Services Representative.
5695 REC Drive • P.O. Box 69 • Marion, IA 52302-0069 • 319-377-1587 or 800-332-5420 • www.linncountyrec.com
Be Prepared For Severe Storms
During this time of year, severe weather can happen quickly.
In the event of a power outage, contact Linn County REC.
Don’t assume that someone has already called. Every call
helps determine the location and extent of an outage.
What Happens During An Outage
When an extensive outage occurs, Linn County REC
enables its automated phone outage system. This allows us
to track the outages and helps prioritize restoration efforts.
It can immediately recognize where the call is coming
from using caller ID. When you call, enter the telephone
number of the Linn County REC account where the
outage is occurring, NOT the cell phone or other phone
number you are calling from.
Remember Safety Outside -- How To Prevent Common Outdoor Hazards
As the weather turns warmer and we
start to head outside, remember that
electrical hazards are not only present
indoors, but can also occur outside.
To promote National Electrical Safety
Month, here is a guide for staying safe
outside.
Power Lines
• Always keep yourself and your
equipment at least 10 feet away
from a power line.
• Have emergency numbers, including Linn County
REC’s, posted by the phone and always have a corded or
cellular phone in your home. Cordless phones will not
work during a power outage.
• Before planting trees, take the
mature height of the tree and plant
it that distance away from power
lines. If you suspect that a tree is
too close to power lines, report it to
Linn County REC.
• Keep a battery operated flashlight, radio, clock, and extra
batteries on hand.
• Call 811 before you dig to have
your utility lines marked.
• Disconnect electronic equipment and as many
appliances as possible. This will prevent damage from a
power surge that may occur during power restoration.
Outdoor Outlets
Be prepared with these safety tips:
For outage information, visit our outage center at
linncountyrec.com from any mobile device. Our outage
map shows the total number of confirmed outages per
county and updates every 10 minutes.
Food Safety
If your home’s power is interrupted for two hours or less,
losing perishable foods shouldn’t be a concern. When an
outage is prolonged, it’s time to decide when to save and
when to toss food away.
Use these food safety tips to help you minimize food loss
and reduce the risk of foodborne illness:
• Throw away food that’s been exposed to temperatures
above 40 degrees F for two hours or more.
• An unopened refrigerator keeps food cold for about four
hours; food in a full freezer stays safe for about 48 hours.
Remember the American Red Cross food safety rule:
“When in doubt, throw it out.”
LINN COUNTY RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
• Have Ground Fault Circuit
Interrupters (GFCIs) installed,
which automatically cut power
when a plugged item comes in
contact with water or begins to
“leak” electricity. Portable GFCIs
are also available for use with
traditional outlets.
• Install weatherproof electrical
boxes or covers on outdoor outlets
Generators
• Position generators outside the
home and away from doors,
windows and vents. 24% of the
CO fatalities involving generators
occurred when it was used inside
an attached garage or shed.
• Make sure your generator is
properly grounded.
• Do not plug generators directly
into a home outlet without a
transfer switch to prevent backfeed,
which could harm utility line
workers making repairs.
Extension Cords
• Extension cords are meant to
provide a temporary solution and
should not be used long-term or
permanently.
• Never use an indoor extension cord
outdoors. Outdoor cords will be
labeled “For Outdoor Use” and are
often orange.
• Never attempt to extend the length
of an extension cord by connecting
it with another extension cord.
• Be sure the amperage rating for the
extension cord is higher than the
amperage of the electrical product
being used.
• Only use extension cords that
have be approved and tested by
a nationally recognized testing
laboratory such as UL, Intertek or
CSA.
WWW.LINNCOUNTYREC.COM