About those gardening classes...

Well, I have a flyer about the gardening classes that I mentioned in my last post. Thing is, when I went to the website that I linked to, the class list was different, so I called the number on the flyer and asked about that. I was informed that the class for this year is going up this afternoon, so make sure if you are interested and look at the schedule that the year's date is 2011. Yeah, didn't notice that the first time around, and when I just now checked it again, the 2010 dates are still up, so it will not be until later this afternoon, apparently.

Whew. Ok, I'm done now.... :)

Thinking about gardening yet?

Yeah, it doesn't exactly feel like the season for gardening (although it has gotten warmer since I last wrote). Looks like they are thinking ahead already in Idaho Falls, though.

If you are interested in classes about gardening, starting on January 8-- according to the information that I've seen--there will be some held at the Idaho Falls Recreation Annex in the South Room. According to said information, the address is 1575 N. Skyline, out near the airport. For more information, you can go here to the Idaho Falls Community Garden Association website. Among the many classes listed are "Container Gardening: Growing in Small Spaces", and "Growing and Using Herbs". Classes are varied and offered on different days, so I strongly suggest heading over to the website--wouldn't want to mistype something. (Hope I haven't already.

Glad that people are willing to share their expertise--it's appreciated! And did I mention that the classes are free? (Actually, I didn't the first time I wrote this, but it was good enough to come back and edit the post for... :)

It's cold outside. (Understatement)

I don't know about where you live, but in our region lately, we've been in the midst of a very, very, very cold snap. We're talking O to the teens in terms of actual temperature, and then somewhere way down below zero when it comes to the windchill. This morning it was 20 below with the windchill factor, and it probably won't get all that much warmer today, but one can hope.... :)

What if you got stuck out in the cold? Are you prepared for an emergency of this nature? What's in your car? In this video, there is a report about some scouts who survived being stranded in the cold, and some tips from someone with experience about what you should have in your car. One of the interesting points he makes is that it doesn't have to be extreme temperatures to create an emergency in terms of the cold. It can be a problem at temperatures way above what we are currently experiencing. In fact, I think his words are, "You can freeze to death at any temperature."

Emergencies happen unexpectedly--but being ready all the time can make all the difference....

Wanna vote on where a million dollars goes for food aid?

If you or someone you know is on facebook, there is a campaign from Wal-Mart in which they are donating $1 million dollars to fight hunger to the community who gets the most "like" votes on Facebook. It's not just any community--they have identified the communities with the most food hardship, and there are 100 to choose from. In Idaho, they have identified Boise City-Nampa as being one of those communities. At the time that I looked at it, Boise City-Nampa is #44 in the running.

You can vote here.

Right now, Boise City-Nampa has 698 supporters, and Salt Lake City, which is currently ranked #1, has 46,213 supporters. Whoever you vote for, you can only vote until December 31, so at this point, you have 4 days plus in which to vote.

And if you get the chance and have the means, don't forget to put aside some cans/boxes of food into your pantry for storage so that you can have some "food aid" of your own on hand for future situations and emergencies....

Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas!

Snow, snow, and oh, more snow....

...at least if you are in the areas mentioned here, which is actually kind of a large section of Idaho. While the linked article is specific to Idaho, the tips from the National Weather Service mentioned here could be useful to everyone who could find themselves dealing with winter weather.

Wherever you are, stay safe out there....

Good deals, but today's the last day

I don't usually mention stores by name, but yes I will if they are going to give me a good bargain. I should have posted about this earlier, because my understanding is that today (Tuesday) is the last day for these deals, but you do still have today if you are interested... :)

You will need an Albertson's card, but if I can explain it correctly, right now they are doing a mix-and-match sale with a number of different things where if you buy 10 of the particpating items, you get $5.00/off. This is especially financially pleasing, if like me, you are interested in stocking up on Albertson's Cream of Mushroom soup, when it turns out that you can get cans for $.29 when you buy 10, or Dole Pineapple for $.75/can when you buy 10. There are other items involved, but I give the regular disclaimers: 1) Please call your local Albertsons to make sure they are participating before embarking on any such endeavor (particularly if it has snowed where you are like it has snowed where we are), 2)I don't work for Albertsons and/or Dole, and 3)sorry I'm late in getting this information out if it does end up being useful to you... :)

It appears that food prices are going nowhere but up, according to articles like this one. I have posted about another alarming article on my other blog, if you are interested. I hope, as always, that everyone who is able is doing what they can to get some food storage and emergency supplies in stock. I still have a lot of work to do myself, but the more people that are prepared, the better off we all will be...