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Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Community Transportation Programs- Helping with Dignity and Caring 

Community Transportation Programs- Helping with Dignity and Caring : Community Transportation Programs -
Helping with Dignity and Caring
By Sandra Ray, Staff Writer
(Page 1 of 2)



 There are a multitude of programs available to help the elderly and disabled reach appointments, go shopping, and perform other tasks associated with daily living. Not all of these are easily accessible or easy to find. The requirements often range from proof of age or disability, to income, as well as stating that no other transportation means are available. It is easy to become discouraged with the process and give up interacting with the community at large.





Independent Transportation Network (ITN):

The Independent Transportation Network (ITN) has
developed a viable model program that can be readily
duplicated across the United States, helping to solve
some of the transportation woes that communities are
facing today. Started in 1999 as a result of research
sponsored by the Federal Transit Administration, AARP,
and the Transportation Research Board, the Maine-based
non-profit offers the program to seniors and individuals
with vision impairments.

Saturday, April 26, 2014

While the other person is talking

Do not formulate your answer while the other person is talking.

People who don't listen decide how they are going to respond before you even stop talking. Don't be afraid to pause for five or ten seconds to consider, validate,  the what the person is saying.

Doing so demonstrates that you listened carefully and that you are giving them the courtesy of a thoughtful reply. If you actually give a thoughtful reply, no one will remember that it took you nine seconds to start talking.

 Repeat what the person is saying before you answer.
Never make the mistake of taking five minutes of a {person's} time answering a something s/he did not say. First, validate  the point by saying, "If I understand you correctly, you want to know (Repeat, validate, what the person is saying) Is that right?"

If necessary, allow the other person to clarify what they are saying. Only start your answer when you are 100% certain you understand what the person is saying.

It may seem like a waste of time to do this, but you will be demonstrating your ability to obtain and understand feedback.

Friday, April 18, 2014

How much electricity does your appliances use?

Bartholomew County REMC:

Bartholomew County Rural
Electric Membership Corporation
is an electric
cooperative located in Columbus, Indiana.


How much electricity does your appliances use?

 Take a look at what you can do for just a few pennies with the help of electricity:
 Use a 75-watt lamp for 14 hours for about 7 cents
Refrigerate food for a day for about 20 cents
Operate a window fan for about 1 cent an hour
Cook a meal on an electric range -using all the burners and the oven - for about 84 cents an hour.
 Use the self-cleaning feature on your oven for a total of 35 cents.
Wash a load of dishes in a dishwasher for about 7 cents

 What Does it Cost to Run My Appliances?

The appliance use chart above shows the most commonly used appliances and office equipment in homes, the average wattage of that equipment and the estimated average cost.

To calculate the exact use of your appliances, or for those not listed in this chart, use the following formula:

amps x volts = watts
watts x hours = watt-hours
watt-hours / 1000 = kilowatt-hours (kwhs)
kwh x .10 (10 cents) = estimated cost of using appliance.

Look for the serial plate on the bottom or back of the appliance. It lists the power used in terms of watts (120 watts might be written 120 w) or amps and volts.

For a larger appliance such as a water heater, remember that it is only running when it has clicked on and is actually heating water. The time your water heater is on varies according to how much you do laundry, take baths, or run the dishwasher. But, let's say your water heater is on for 3 hours on a particular day (the national average):

4,500 watts x 3 hours = 13,500 watt-hours
13,500 watt-hours / 1000 = 13.5 kwh
13.5 kwh x 10 cents = $1.35

There are several things you can do to use electricity more efficiently.

You will find that your electric furnace, air conditioner and water heater will make up the greatest percentage of your electric bill, so these are the areas in which to concentrate your energy management efforts.