Bringing you News that Counts
Bringing you News that Counts
|
February 1, 2010
For more information about Palm Beach County’s programs and services, visit us online at www.pbcgov.com. During hurricanes or other activation events, Public Affairs will e-mail releases to Count-e-News subscribers. If you have any questions or to provide feedback, you can e-mail us at countenews@pbcgov.org or call (561) 355-2754. To unsubscribe from Count-e-News, click here. Note: Follow Palm Beach County on Twitter to receive all of Public Affairs’ news releases at: http://www.twitter.com/pbcgov. |
County Assisting with Haitian Earthquake Relief
In support of the relief efforts associated with the devastating earthquake in Haiti, Palm Beach County is tapping resources to provide assistance.
• Emergency Management staff has been participating in meetings with the state and federal government including discussion of a possible site in the county for staging relief supplies.
• Stand-by teams are being maintained for deployment through the Florida Emergency Preparedness Association.
• Fire Rescue employees with specialized rescue training were deployed to Haiti on federal search and rescue teams.
• Community Services staff has been in contact with the county’s Haitian community providers to determine possible means of assistance.
• The county has established an Employees Disaster Relief Fund for to make donations through the payroll system.
• The Library System has launched a comprehensive page on their Web site with various resources on relief efforts.
• Public Affairs PBC TV Channel 20 produced an episode of its kreyol show Koze Edikasyon focused solely on Haiti relief.
Consumer Alert – Watch Out for Haiti Relief Scams!
The shocking pictures and news reports of the devastation in Haiti are flooding the Internet. Some Internet users are being contacted by unsolicited “charities” and “relief organizations” that may be scams.
Typically, catastrophes like tsunamis, hurricanes and earthquakes bring out the best in people, but unfortunately scammers see this as an opportunity to profit on the suffering of others. This fact should not deter the generosity of South Florida residents trying to help. The following are some suggestions that help assure your donation will get where it is needed:
• The Internet is the quickest way scammers can get to you. Be very cautious about opening unsolicited spam e-mails and messages from organizations you don’t recognize. They may be “phishing” to get your personal information for identity theft or simply to get your donation for themselves.
• Give only to established charities. But be aware that there are also sound-a-like charities set up to confuse donors. The Florida Division of Consumer Services (1-800-435-7352) can confirm if the organization is properly registered and tax-exempt. If you don’t recognize the name of the charity, ask them for a financial report. Any legitimate organization will be glad to provide it.
• Faith-based charities are not required to be registered with the Florida Division of Consumer Services. The nonprofit status of most faith-based organizations can be checked through the IRS at http://www.irs.gov/app/pub-78/
• Avoid charities that use graphic depictions or emotional appeals but are vague when asked direct questions as to how your donation will be used.
• Never give cash. Make your contribution by check, payable to the charity.
• Always remember to protect your personal information, and avoid giving your credit card number or other personal information over the phone. For more information, call Palm Beach County Consumer Affairs at 712-6600 (Boca/Delray residents call 888-852-7362 toll free) or visit www.pbcgov.com/consumer.
Plants create an atmosphere of warmth and life that cannot be equaled by any other furnishings. Plants improve indoor air quality by removing harmful pollutants from the air. They improve comfort levels by stabilizing humidity levels and have been proven to increase worker productivity and attendance and contribute to workplace satisfaction. The keys to really good houseplant care are plant selection, proper light, watering correctly and fertilizing every three months.
If you start with a super easy plant such as a cast iron plant (Aspidistra elatior) or a snake plant (Sanseveria trifasciata), you will always be successful. These two plants require low light, infrequent watering and minimal fertilizer.
Most houseplants die from overwatering. Check your plant for water every three days by pressing your finger into the soil to a depth of your knuckle. If your fingertip feels dry, water the soil thoroughly being sure water comes out from the holes at the bottom of the pot, then repeat. Remove any excess water out of the bottom tray after about an hour to prevent the roots from rotting. Fertilize once every three months with slow release houseplant food such as Osmocote or Dynamite. If you ever find an insect problem on an office plant, an easy way to control a light infestation of mealybugs or aphids is to wet or remove the insects with a swab that has been dipped in alcohol. Swabs recommended for babies are excellent. Be careful not to over apply, as alcohol may burn the foliage.
Other houseplant choices will require you find a location in your office with enough light for their best growth. For office locations that have windows three to six feet away from where you will be placing a plant, choose either golden or marble queen pothos (Epipremnum aureum) or a peace lily (Spathiphyllum). In office areas within three feet of large south, east, or west facing windows, use a pony tail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata) or zebra plant (Aphelandra squarrosa).
For more information, call a Cooperative Extension master gardener at 233-1750 or visit http://www.pbcgov.com/coopext/horticulture/.
Cooperative Extension to Hold Money Wi$e Expo
Palm Beach County Saves: Start Small. Think Big.
In recognition of America/Palm Beach County Saves Week (Feb. 21 to 28, 2010), the Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension Service and its community partners are hosting a free event on Feb. 20 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. to offer help with saving money on a tight budget.
Participants will learn how to painlessly cut spending, reduce debt and take advantage of employer retirement savings contributions. Presentation topics include: Credit Management: Why Am I a 678?; $ Smarts for Baby Boomers; How to Save; Foreclosure Prevention: How Do I Save My House?; Raising $ Smart Kids; Stretching the Family Dollar; Identity Theft and Fraud.
Participants will be able to shred personal documents on-site, complete an unclaimed money search and get free credit reports and no-strings-attached consultations with Certified Financial Planner™ professionals. There will also be free tax preparation for the first ten people who register for this service.
The event will take place at the Clayton Hutcheson Agricultural Services Center, 559 North Military Trail, West Palm Beach. For more information, call Maisielin Ross at 233-1742.
For event details, to register for free tax preparation and/or a financial planning session, call the Cooperative Extension at 233-1742 or take a look at the Web site, http://www.pbcgov.com/coopext/facs/
Consumer Trap & Tip: Mold in Your Home
Trap
Randi called her landlord again. There was a musty odor that cleaning and air fresheners just didn’t eliminate, and her air conditioner wasn’t cooling properly. She spoke with her landlord and had a technician check out the system. He found a leak near the air handler, and mold was starting to grow on a nearby wall. The air conditioner could be repaired, but the mold problem was not resolved. Randi gave the report to the landlord who told her he would get to it soon, but Randi was now worried about the health of her toddlers. A bad situation just got worse!
Tips
Molds occur naturally almost everywhere in our tropical environment. Indoors, mold can be found where humidity levels are high, such as showers or areas where water damage has occurred. Some key points to keep in mind are:
• It’s impossible to eliminate all mold indoors. Mold growth can be controlled indoors by controlling moisture. Work to keep the humidity level between 40 percent and 60 percent, and adjust the air conditioner to the setting recommended by the manufacturer to help keep mold under control. Be sure there is adequate ventilation, such as exhaust fans, in bathrooms, kitchens and homes without air conditioning.
• If you believe your family is ill because of exposure to mold, consult your health care provider for the appropriate medical action.
• If you feel your property owner or landlord has been unresponsive to your concerns regarding mold exposure, contact the County Health Department for an indoor air quality onsite visit. The local housing authority or code enforcement office may also help by providing the documentation needed to make your case and recommendations for correcting the problems.
• There are no government licensing or oversight programs for mold remediation companies. The EPA (http://www.epa.gov/mold) and the CDC (http://www.cdc.gov/mold) provide recommendations for mold problems.
For more information, call Palm Beach County Consumer Affairs at 561-712-6600 (Boca/ Delray 888-852-7362 - toll free) or check consumer complaints for mold remediation companies by visiting http://www.pbcgov.com/consumer.
Coconut Cove Recreation Center to Hold Daddy/Daughter Valentine’s Dance
Coconut Cove Recreation Center will be hosting the fifth annual Daddy/Daughter Valentine’s Dance for ages 6 to 12 on Saturday, Feb. 6, from 6 to 9 p.m. The event includes light refreshments, a keepsake, door prizes, and a live DJ playing your favorite music.
The cost of the dance is $20 per couple and $5 for each additional daughter. Preregistration is required, due to limited seating, and is available Jan. 19 to Feb. 4 at Coconut Cove Recreation Center.
Coconut Cove Recreation Center is operated by the Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation Department and is located at 11200 Park Access Road in South County Regional Park West of Boca Raton. For more information, call 274-1140 or visit www.pbcparks.com.
