Ceiling Fan Tip – and Other Hot Weather Tips

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Your web guy just returned from Utah, where the temps were a bit over 100F. It’s nice to be here where it is a bit cooler. But the weather lately here has been warmer than usual, so an 80+F degree day might start to feel warm.

I always forget which way the ceiling fan needs to turn during the summer. (A bit of air movement will help you feel cooler.) So here’s a reminder:

“During the summer you want the fan to blow air straight down, so your ceiling fan needs to run in a counter clockwise direction (as you look up at it). The warmer it is, the higher the speed should be. During the winter, your fan should run at a low speed in a clockwise direction.”

If you don’t have a ceiling fan in your house, any fan that moves the air around will help you feel cooler. Keeping the west-facing window shades down will help also (if the sun hits those windows directly). Opening up windows in the morning before hit gets hot helps cool down the house. Watch the temperature outside: when it hits about 70-ish, you should consider closing up things.

Keep hydrated: a pitcher of ice water with lemon slices can be refreshing. And don’t forget to keep the water dish filled for your furry friends. (Try not to take them with you in your car on hot days – temps inside the car can warm up very fast, even after a few minutes in a parking lot.)

Do you have any hot weather tips? Add yours in the comments below.

Washington State Plans to Reduce Wildfire Risk

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[Editor’s Note: this is a news release from Washington State Governer Inslee.]

 Governor Inslee and Commissioner of Public Lands Goldmark take steps to
reduce wildfire risk

 OLYMPIA – With extraordinary heat and drought conditions across the state – and forecasts for more of the same – Governor Jay Inslee and Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark are taking steps to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires.

Governor Jay Inslee today issued an emergency proclamation for all 39 counties, activating critical resources needed to prevent and contain expected wildfires. The emergency proclamation gives the Washington State Department of Natural Resources the ability to call on the resources of the National Guard and the State Guard on short notice to assist in responding to wildfires.

In addition, Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark has banned all outdoor fires on Washington State Department of Natural Resources-protected lands.   The expanded statewide ban prohibits all fires, including wood and charcoal fires in designated campground fire pits or campfire rings.  Gas and propane cook stoves are allowed.

The Governor and Commissioner are also urging people to limit their use of fireworks, or forgo fireworks completely.

“Fireworks, while often part of our Fourth of July celebration, pose an increased risk with the extremely dry conditions we’re experiencing this year,” Gov. Inslee said. “We’re strongly urging people to not use them this year and celebrate in a different way.”

Residents are encouraged to contact their local officials to determine whether any city or county ordinances are in place that prohibit the use of fireworks.

Please use this link to read the complete news release:

 http://www.dnr.wa.gov/RecreationEducation/News/Pages/2015_06_26_burnban.aspx 

Lawsuit Decision Document

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This document, available to residents only at this page, is the formal, final order of Judge Harper in which he grants the TVHA request for Summary Judgment against the Third-Party Plaintiffs, dismisses the Third Party Plaintiffs claims, with prejudice, and dismisses TVHA from the case. This will be of high interest to many residents of Timberton.

I will discuss this in some detail at the annual meeting on 29 June.

Thanks much.

Steve Beuby