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7April 2012

Nishnabotna ValleyRural Electric Cooperative

1317 ChatburnHarlan, Iowa

(712) 755-21661-800-234-5122

www.nvrec.comN Lews ines

nishnabotna valley

Nishnabotna Valley REC winner Marlin Petersen of Kirkman Wins the Grand Prize of the 2012 KDSN Farm 40 Free Contest!

REC Day on the Hillthe annual rec day on the hill was held March 28 at the state capitol in des Moines. nishnabotna valley rec general Manager John eu-chner, five of your Board of Directors and Communications Specialist Janell Cheek spent a day at the Capitol building in Des Moines visiting with legislators about legislation that has a direct effect on our member-consumers such as energy efficiency.

John Euchner, CEO Nishnabotna Valley REC, visits with Senator Nan-cy Boettger about current legislation that could possibly affect members of NVREC.

Representative Jack Drake (photo far right) visits with Janell Cheek on Energy Efficiency topics.

Communicators Janell Cheek, NVREC, and Jackie Androy, HCREC, speak with Representative Chuck Soderberg.

Senator Mike Gronstall (left) uses pedal power to discover energy required to power 4 CFL lightbulbs is significantly less than powering 4 incandescent bulbs, at the NVREC/HCREC booth on REC Day on the Hill 2012.

Mary Ann Hanusa stops at the NVREC/HCREC energy booth to visit with Communicator Jackie An-droy about energy efficiency topics.

NVREC Member Marlin Petersen (and wife Margarette) of Kirkman, shown here with CEO John Euchner, was selected as the Cooperative’s semi-finalist in the Farm 40 Free Contest. They received an energy efficiency kit from the Cooperative. Marlin’s name was also selected by KDSN radio in Denison as the Farm 40 Free Grand Prize winner! Nishnabotna Valley REC is one of the sponsors of that contest.Congratulations to Marlin and Margarette Petersen!

Published monthly byNishnabotna Valley

Rural Electric Cooperative1317 Chatburn Avenue,

Harlan, Iowa 51537Directors

President ..................Darrell StampVice-Pres ..................Wayne PaulsenSec.-Treas ................Bryan GreveDirector .....................Don ApplegateDirector .....................Dale ChristiansenDirector .....................Galen GrabillDirector .....................Gene KenkelChief Executive Officer ..... John EuchnerCommunications ............... Janell Cheek

Nishnabotna Valley NewslinesOffice Hours: Mon-Fri.,

7:30 am to 4:00 pm

Telephone: (712) 755-2166 or

toll free 800-234-5122

Fax (712)755-2351On the Web: www.nvrec.com

or www.nvrec.coop

Outages after hours, holidays and weekends: 800-234-5122

Sealed Bids for Retired NVREC Bucket Truck1993 international with double buckets. includes:

• Material Handler • 55ft Reach • Diesel Engine• Manual Transmission • 200,835 miles

Refer to truck 113 when offering bid. Truck will be sold “As Is”Truck is on site and can be viewed during regular business hours. Truck will go to the highest bidder. Bids can be mailed to:

NVREC, PO Box 714, Harlan, IA 51537Sealed bids will be accepted from April 5, 2012 through Monday,

May 7, 2012 at 4:00 pm. Nishnabotna Valley REC has the right to refuse any and all bids.If you have questions please call Dale at 712-755-2166.

Nishnabotna Valley Rural Electric Cooperative is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

“CHaiN” oF EVENTS• Miles of line to build – 515• Miles of line completed – 154.9

(this is 30% completed of the 515 miles)

• Progress of 8.7 miles of line since last report

• Total FEMA projects – 26• Project Work orders released

for construction by FEMA (as of Oct 13, 2011) all 26 have been approved.

As of 3-22-12

520 miles of line complete

500

450

400

350

300

250

200

150

100

75

50

25

0 miles of rebuilt line complete 3-22-12

Monthly Progress Report

nishnabotna valley rec created its Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) to improve the quality of life in rural areas by contributing to long-term improvement in the local economy. Administered by the Nishnabotna Valley REC Board of Directors, priorities include diversification of the local economy, job creation and retention, and upgrading the public infrastructure to improve the health, safety and/or medical care of rural residents.

Terms and Rates Terms and rates are set by the Nishnabotna Valley REC Board of Directors. Interest Rates will vary from 0% to Prime Rate depending on the financial need of the project and its benefit to the rural area.

Terms & Security• Adequate collateral for the loan

request is required. • Preferred security is an irrevo-

cable letter of credit. • Maximum loan term is 10 years.

other Funding A minimum of 50% of the project must be funded from equity or debt sources other than the nishnabotna Valley REC Revolving Loan Fund.

Revolving Loan Fund improves quality of life in rural areas

administration Fee Generally, the RLF may charge an annual administration fee equal to 1% of the outstanding balance of the loan.

Fund availability RLF loan applications are accept-ed at the nishnabotna valley rec office when the RLF has an avail-able balance of at least $20,000. It currently has a balance of about $385,000.

Eligible applicants• New or Expanding Private Busi-

nesses • Local Governments • Non-profit Community Develop-

ment OrganizationsEligible Uses of Funds:

• Land Purchase • Buildings • Fixed Assets • Machinery & Equipment • Infrastructure • Residential Housing • Projects (limits apply)

ineligible Uses of Funds:• Pre-development Costs • Refinancing

Who to Contact:John euchner, ceo -jeuchner@nvrec.com

REC has booth at Home Shownishnabotna valley rec was at the harlan Newspapers' Home, Garden & Living Show March 24 and 25 at the Veterans Memorial Audi-torium, Harlan. Once again the show was con-sidered a huge success and nvrec was able to get the word out about energy efficiency.NVREC handed out CFL light bulbs and wa-ter aerators which are intended to reduce the amount of hot water used in kitchens and bath-rooms.

New LED lighting technology embraced by consumers, total cost of ownership saves money over incandescent, fluorescent bulbs

Coop Connections Card

OTHER PARTICIPATING businEssEs:

AuTOMATEd businEss FOrMs AND PRINTING

audubon10% off printing materials

bOrdEr FArE rEsTAurAnTharlan

10% off for cardholdersbulbs.COM, worcester, Ma

10% off when you use your Co-op Con-nections discount codeCluB 191, Portsmouth

Receive 10% orders when you present the co-op connections card

CREATIVE CONCEPTSCOllISION REPAIR, harlan

$20 Chamber bucks on any work over $500

CREES GARDEN CENTERharlan

5% off entire purchaseCRONK’S RESTAuRANT

denison10% off on orders with parties of 4 and

smallerdAnisH WindMill, elk horn2 for 1 tour/ 10% off purchase

in gift shopHARlAN INN AND SuITES

harlan10% off room rate for Co-op

connection card holdersHARlAN VETERINARyASSOCIATES, harlan

call today to ask about co-opConnections Member Discounts

HARlAN VISION ClINIC, harlandiscounts on prescription eye glassesHEARTlAND CARPET ClEANINGharlan, carpet cleaning, upholstery10% off carpet and upholstry cleaning

Hy-VEE, harlanFREE 1/2 Gallon of milk with

$25 purchaseiOWA WinEs And MOrE, harlan

5% off purchase to Membercard holders

MClAugHlin inTErnATiOnAlcarroll

Offers VaryPiCkET FEnCE grEEnHOusE

Portsmouth10% off purchases

PIzzA RANCH, harlanBuy an adult buffet, get one half off

ROSE CITy CANOPy, INCwalnut

discounts on lighting and installationTHE CORN CRIB, shelby

Free small fountain drink with purchase of meal

THE DANISH INN, elk horn10% discount on parties of 4 or lessTHE FAMily gArdEn, griswold

10% off meal ordersTHE FlOWEr bArn APPArEl And

giFT, harlan10 % off total purchase

WIllOW CREEK GlASS CHAPEl AND BANquET HAll, shelby

$20 off price of wedding or banquet hall reservations

Use your Co-op Connections Card at these participating businesses

For a complete list of national participating businesses,go to www.connections.coop

Nishnabotna Valley REC welcomes Harlan’s Kittnet Computing to the co-op connections card program. Members can use their card to get a FrEE hardware diagnostic on their system every 6 months.Other specials and offers may be available at Kittnet Computing, when you call Alex at (712) 579-2235.

The primary question that has emerged from conversations with our members concerns the percep-tion that LED lights are too expen-sive. This article attempts to answer that question, as well as providing additional details on where these new LED lights can be successfully used around your home or office. First, the price issue: LED lights are, indeed, more expensive up front than incandescent lights or fluores-cent lights. However, lights do not actually work unless they consume electricity, thus the real question about the cost of light bulbs must take into account the Total Cost of ownership. What is the TCO for producing 50,000 hours of light with a 100-watt incandescent bulb? As it turns out, a 100-watt light bulb actually uses 101.5 watts of electric-ity. Over 50,000 hours (which would require replacing it 50 times with a new bulb), it will use 5,075 kilowatt-hours of electricity, costing approxi-mately $500 (based on ten cents per kilowatt-hour). So a 100-watt light bulb actually costs you $500 to operate over 50,000 hours. On top of that, it produces a whopping 10,150 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions, which directly promote global warming. So the Total Cost of Ownership for a 100-watt light bulb is well over $500 for producing 50,000 hours of light. In contrast, what is the Total Cost of Ownership for our 10-watt EcolEDs light bulb? the led light itself costs about $100 up front. It uses 10.8 watts of electricity, which adds up to 540 kilowatt-hours over 50,000 hours. That’s about $54 in electricity vs. the $500 needed to power the 100-watt bulb mentioned above. Plus, our 10-watt LED light reduces CO2 emissions by 9,000 pounds, producing only about 1,080 pounds of CO2 instead of the 10,150 pounds produced from a 100-watt incandescent bulb. The Total Cost of Ownership for a 10-watt LED light bulb is $100 for the light, and $54 in electricity for producing 50,000 hours of light.

COMPUTER SERVICES SECURITY CAMERA SYSTEMS SALES NETWORKING

HOME AUTOMATION DATA BACKUP AUDIO SERVICES WEB DESIGN & HOSTING

WWW.KITTNETCOMPUTING.COM

1901 HAWKEYE AVENUESUITE #101HARLAN, IA 51537

TEL: 712.733.9730

COME SEE US AT THE 2012 HARLAN HOME SHOW!

Thus, the lEd light is $154 vs. $550 or so (electricity + the cost of replacement bulbs) for incan-descent lights. which brings us to the question: How much would you rather pay for 50,000 hours of light? $154 or $550? It makes obvious financial sense to pay only $154, especially when you’re also protecting the environment at the same time. Why lED lights cost more up front Overall, LED lights are far less expensive to own and operate than incandescent lights. Still, many consumers are frustrated at the up-front cost. It’s tough to fit a $100 light bulb into a tight budget. i share that concern, and i wish these lights were a lot less expensive, but the fact is that quality lED compo-nents cost more. the copper, aluminum alloys and lenses that go into LED lights are quality compo-nents, not cheap disposable parts like you normally find in an incan-descent light. LED component prices are falling each year, however, and the future will no doubt bring more afford-able LED lights to the marketplace. Manufacturers anticipate that retail prices will fall 10 percent per year for quality LED lights. A less expen-sive light means increased afford-ability by a greater number of con-sumers, and that means a greater impact on saving energy. LED lights will never be as cheap as incandescent light bulbs. However, they will pay you back in significant savings over time. And as electricity costs continue to rise, led lighting makes even more economic sense. As a consumer, you see, you’re re-ally buying hours of light, not just the bulbs that produce the light. the cost of the bulb is the smallest part of the equation. Burning a light that wastes 95% of the electricity it consumes is sort of like driving a car that gets a fuel economy of one mile per gallon. LED lights will get even brighter, better and less expensive in the coming years.

Harlan Tribune Graphics Web Printing

Wellness at Any Age

HOW TO rECOgnizE THE MOsT COMMOn syMPTOMs OF AsTHMA

NVREC Recipe Corner

Delicious Strawberry Banana SlushyThis delicious strawberry banana slushy is full of antioxidants and vitamins. You can use a variety of fruits instead of strawberries. Use fruit that is in season.

ingrEdiEnTs:1 frozen banana6 or more frozen strawberriesother fruits of your choice (optional)1 cup or less of your favorite juice - apple

works great

dirECTiOns:1. If you are using other fruit drop it into the blender now with about 1/2 cup of the juice.2. Blend for a few seconds. Add the frozen banana and strawberries and blend.3. Add more juice if needed. You want your slushy to be about the thickness of a milk-shake.nOTE: To make using frozen bananas a snap - peel before freezing.

LooK UP FoR oVERHEaD PoWER LiNESnishnabotna valley rec wants to remind members to put safety first this planting season. the increasing size of farm equipment raises the risk of contact at field entrances and along end rows, where overhead electric wires may be present. The taller equipment may not always allow the recommended 10 foot separation when passing beneath or near the power lines. in agricul-tural areas the vertical clearance required is less than the clearance over roadways and streets. Never assume that because the machin-ery passed under the lines in one area means it will adequately clear another area.while gPs technology has reduced the use of folding row markers on large planters, any part of an imple-ment that can touch a power line offers a potential path to the ground for the electric current. Farm equip-ment operators who are working on the ground with the equipment can become the path for the deadly current flow. Such equipment not only includes large tillage equip-ment, but antennas, grain augers, auger wagons, and truck beds with hydraulic lifts.With such a beautiful March, much spring fieldwork has already begun, but please take the time to inspect entry points at fields. If wires are low, do not attempt to tighten them or temporarily raise them; instead, contact your nishnabotna valley REC at 712-755-2166. Electric distribution lines along rural roads carry thousands of volts and only professional utility line workers are qualified to make any adjustments.additionally, any deep tiling opera-tion outside of normal field boundar-ies can become perilous if a ripping knife hooks onto a buried power line. Before enlarging a field, install-ing a foundation for a new build-ing, or digging in an area served by a power line remember to call 811 (Iowa One Call) to have buried cables marked.

Parents and grandparents, it can be easy to confuse asthma with a cold or flu, especially since colds and flu can actually trigger asthma symptoms. So it’s important to learn how to recognize the most common symptoms of asthma. Classic symptoms of asthma are: • Sudden wheezing and/or short-

ness of breath, possibly worse at night or in cold air. gets worse with heartburn or exercise

• Cough with or without phlegm • Breathing out takes longer than

breathing in • A feeling of pulled skin between

the ribs, called intercostal retrac-tions”

• Nasal flaring • Chest pain or tightness in chest Emergency symptoms: • Extremely difficult to breathe • Anxiety due to diminished breath-

ing capability • Rapid pulse, sweating • Drowsiness or confusion during

an attack • Blue tinge to lips or face • Breathing temporarily stops Treatment: First things first – Get to the root cause, don’t just treat a symptom! always write down when an at-tack happens. Real asthma attacks aren’t commonly associated with food. People allergic to the following may also have asthma, and should avoid exposure if at all possible: Pet hair, dust mites, insect drop-pings, pollen and mold. Respiratory infections, tobacco smoke, stress, or drug allergies can bring on an asthma attack. Most prescription allergy treatments involve steroidal or non-steroidal (NSAID) inhalers or injections. Anti-

inflammatories and steroids may have many side effects, especial-ly if used long-term: • Gastric upset, bowel disturbances • Overgrowth of fungal yeast in re-

spiratory tract, intestines, sinuses or genitals

• New allergies due to yeast over-growth

• “Backlash” attacks – asthma at-tacks come more frequently as the body relies more on medicine than its own defenses

• Lowered immune system from all of the above

• Susceptibility to other illnesses due to lowered immune system. Common are ulcers, glaucoma, high blood pressure, joint pain. Prevention of asthma and/or al-lergy triggers: • If unsure about what allergies

are present or if the person really has asthma, avoid common food allergens: dairy, soy, peanuts, chocolate, strawberries.

• For asthma, avoid foods which thicken mucous: Dairy, sugary baked goods, high starches. Thick mucous increases difficulty breathing.

• Eat lots of dark green vegetables for antioxidant power (keeps cells healthy).

• Avoid outdoor situations with lots of airborne allergens – but do get fresh air – and exercise. It works the lungs. Just don’t do it near plants and flowers! Perhaps a professional running track or bike path.

• Get pets that are known to shed less.

• Do housecleaning with a face mask, or be away from home when someone else cleans.

• Avoid highly scented candles, air fresheners, vinyls and cleaning chemicals with strong residual odors. those residuals get in the lungs.