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CULTURE CORNER

4th Annual TUBA Christmas

Saturday, Dec. 12, 2009
2-3 p.m.
Oak Street Plaza

Come celebrate the holiday season with a community brass band of TUBA Proportions! If you play a baritone (euphonium) or a tuba, come join us in the holiday fun.

The brass ensemble will gather at 10 a.m. for a rehearsal in downtown then perform at 2 p.m. in Oak Street Plaza.

To learn more or to register go to downtownfortcollins.com

CHARACTER QUALITY

Patience

Accepting a difficult situation without giving a deadline to remove it.

For more information about Character Fort Collins, visit characterfortcollins.org or call 266-2671.

City Council
City Manager

CITY HALL

300 LaPorte Ave.
P.O. Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522-0580
221-6505 TDD: 224-6001 fcgov.com

Spotlights

Operation Clean Sweep - Street Sweeping Coming Soon

Now through Nov. 25, Operation Clean Sweep will remove fallen leaves and debris on city streets.  Parking on some residential streets will be prohibited to allow heavy equipment to remove debris from curb to curb.

In order to minimize inconveniences, parking restrictions will only be in place for 24 hours on one side of the street at a time. The side of the street with even addresses will be swept on even days, while the side of the street with odd addresses will be swept on odd days.  “No Parking” signs will be posted in advance, and the full schedule of street sweeping activities is available at fcgov.com/streets.

In all other areas without parking restrictions, it is helpful if you move your vehicles from the street prior to sweeping operations. These areas will be swept on both sides of the street during one day of operations.

In the event of inclement weather, work will be postponed until after Nov. 25. Look for “No Parking” signs with revised dates or contact the Streets Department.

Operation Clean Sweep marks the final street sweeping of the year.  Removing ALL debris from curb to curb is critical to proper snow and ice drainage during the winter season. Clogged storm drains may cause localized flooding, and standing water will continuously freeze and thaw in winter months, which can result in premature damage to streets.

How can you help out on street sweeping day? Please do not rake or blow your leaves into the street. The street sweepers’ job is to sweep up all of the leaves and debris that have collected naturally into the street. Remember, it is prohibited by City ordinance to dispose any yard waste into a public right-of-way.

Don’t let those leaves go to waste! Through the Natural Resources Department’s Leaf Exchange program (fcgov.com/recycling/leaf-exchange.php), citizens can locate groups who need leaves for composting or mulching. Citizens who would like to give away their leaves may also sign up on the registry.

For more information regarding Operation Clean Sweep, contact the Streets Department at 221-6615 or visit fcgov.com/streets.

Tips to Save Energy. Water. Money.

By combining energy and water efficiency improvements, your home can feel more comfortable, perform better, use less energy and water, and save you money. Here are just a few of the programs offered through the City of Fort Collins:

  • Rebate applications for ENERGY STAR® clothes washers and dishwashers
  • Refrigerator, Freezer and Toilet Recycling Programs 
  • Residential Lighting Choices
  • Water Heater Load Management Program
  • WaterSense® Water-Efficient Products

SAVE ENERGY

Lights, electronics and appliances account for almost 40 percent of the average home’s energy use. When upgrading, look for ENERGY STAR-labeled products (energystar.gov).

Use energy-efficient appliances. Check out Utilities’ rebate programs. Remember, side-by-side refrigerators use more energy than top or bottom models, top-loading clothes washers use more electricity and water than front-loaders.

Switch to Compact Fluorescent Bulbs

CFLs last up to 10 times longer, and use 2/3- 3/4 less energy than conventional bulbs. CFLs should be recycled, not thrown in the trash. Visit us online for more details, as well as recycling locations and tips.

Install a Programmable Thermostat

Save approximately 20 percent on heating and cooling bills per year by adjusting your thermostat 5-10 degrees at night and when not home.

Easy, Low-cost Solutions

Plug electronics into power strips with built-in sensors that automatically shut off devices not in use. Set your computer to hibernate and turn off when not in use. Use LED holiday light strings.

SAVE WATER

You may be surprised to learn where you use the most water and how easily you can save. When upgrading, look for WaterSense-labeled products.

Use Water-efficient Appliances

Check out Utilities’ rebate programs. New clothes washers can save 40 gallons per load. High-efficiency toilets use 1.28 gallons per flush and save over older models that use 3.5-5 gallons or even more.

Toilet Recycling Program

Yep, toilets. Recycle old toilets at ReSource, 1501 N. College Ave.

Stop Drips and Leaks

It’s the fastest way to conserve. Put a little food coloring in your toilet tank. If color appears in the bowl, without flushing, you have a leak.

Easy, Low-cost Solutions.

Don’t prerinse dishes before putting in the dishwasher. Add an aerator to faucets. Turn the faucet off while brushing teeth or shaving.

For more information, visit fcgov.com/fortcollinsconserves, call 221-6700, e-mail utilities@fcgov.com or TDD 224-6003.

Features

City Offers Rebates

During the fall and winter months, we turn our attention from the outside of our homes to the inside. A home that operates efficiently feels more comfortable, uses less energy and water, and contributes to improved air quality.

To get the most out of our homes, Fort Collins Utilities emphasizes the importance of the “whole-house approach,” which views the house as a “system” that needs to work together to perform at its highest level.

This approach identifies the cause of the problem, rather than just dealing with the symptoms (an uncomfortable home) by looking at:

  • the shell of the home (insulation, air sealing windows, moisture control)
  • mechanical systems (heating and cooling, hot water)
  • lighting (energy-efficient bulbs and fixtures)
  • appliances (ENERGY STAR® and WaterSense® appliances)
  • healthy indoor air (combustion safety, pollutant control, ventilation)

Each of us can improve the comfort and efficiency of our home by utilizing the whole-house approach. According to ENERGY STAR, some tried-and-true energy-efficiency measures include effective insulation, high-performance windows, tight construction and ducts, efficient heating and cooling equipment, and efficient household appliances and lighting.

Be Local Coupon Books

Just stop for a minute and think about all the restaurants, breweries, art galleries, boutique shops, and locally-owned firms that make Fort Collins authentic and unique. Many of those places are celebrated in the Be Local Coupon Book. In its fourth year, the Be Local book is bursting with unbelievable deals and incentives to shop local. The book includes 260 coupons (60+ are restaurant coupons) and more than $6,000 worth of discounts for only $10. The books also have fun and informative stories about local businesses.

The books make great gifts and are an easy way to support our diverse local retail, restaurants, and service-oriented businesses. Go to BeLocalNC.org for a list of locations where you can buy the Be Local books. 

Uniquely Fort Collins is one of five industry clusters supported by the City of Fort Collins as part of our Economic Action Plan.

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