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Page 3 - Winter 2009-2010 IMPORTANT INFORMATION MINNESOTA “SNOWBIRDS” CRITICAL TO CENSUS 2010 COUNT With less than six months to go until Census Day 2010, the Minnesota State CALENDARS ARE HERE… Demographic Center is encouraging Minnesota residents who reside out of state Stop by City Hall to get your FREE calendar, while supplies last. For information for the winter months (“snowbirds”) answer only the 2010 Census form they regarding their services, please contact the RCWD at 763-398-3070 or receive at their Minnesota address. www.ricecreek.org. WINTER—THE BEST TIME TO PRUNE! “Every Minnesotan needs to answer the 2010 Census they receive at their Minnesota address,” said State Demographer Tom Gillaspy. “If they respond to Winter is the best time to prune your trees for the following reasons: the Census form they receive at their winter ‘snowbird’ address, they will be ?? The absence of leaves make crossing branches and weak counted as residents of that state, not Minnesota. If even a fraction of spots easily seen. Minnesotans miss this opportunity, we could easily be left with only seven ?? The risk of spreading disease via pruning cuts is minimized. Insects that carry representatives in the U.S. House of Representatives,” said Gillaspy. oak wilt from infected trees to fresh pruning cuts during the spring and summer are not present during winter. The State Demographic Center estimates that fewer than 3,000 people are ?? Equipment can be moved closer to trees on frozen ground when lawn damage is needed for Minnesota to retain its eight congressional districts. Minnesotans, not a great concern. Gillaspy said, should also be aware of the following: ?? Growth is increased since the energy stored in fewer roots and branches is Usual address channeled to fewer growth points the following spring. • The Census Bureau counts residents at their ‘usual’ address. • Residents decide their ‘usual’ address. DISHWASHER & GARBAGE DISPOSALS POLLUTE OUR • By using their Minnesota address, Minnesotans benefit their home state. WATERS Dishwashers, grass clippings and cow manure; what do these three things Questionnaires will be delivered to ALL addresses nationwide have in common? They are all sources of phosphorus. • The Census Bureau will mail questionnaires in mid-March to regular mailing addresses (for example, 123 Elm Street). We Minnesotans love our lakes. What we don’t love is green, smelly lakes • Minnesota snowbirds will receive a 2010 Census questionnaire at both their covered with thick layers of oozing algae. Guess what causes algae to grow? That’s Minnesota and snowbird addresses. right – phosphorus! When a lake has an excess of phosphorus, some species of algae • The Census Bureau will hand-deliver questionnaires to the addresses of begin to grow out of control. No one likes to swim in algae, boat motors can be mired in persons with nonhome delivery, such as a P.O. Box, RFD or Star Route. the goo, and certain species of algae can even be harmful to people and animals. • The United States Post Office will NOT forward Census 2010 questionnaires. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency recently found that household and commercial The 2010 Census is critical for Minnesota. In addition to determining Congres- dishwasher detergent contribute about 3% of all the phosphorus pollution to surface sional representation, Census information determines the allocation of more than waters in Minnesota. Even though the water from dishwashers is processed by a $400 billion in federal funding for everything from education to transportation. wastewater treatment plant, the phosphorous can not be completely removed. Three The business community also uses Census information for planning, marketing, percent may not sound like much, but think how easy it would be to make our lakes labor force projections and more. cleaner simply by changing our dishwasher detergents. Look for phosphorus-free de- tergent the next time you are shopping. Food soils and garbage disposal waste com- For more information about Census 2010 in Minnesota, visit bined contribute another 4% of the phosphorus loading. You can help by composting www.mn2010census.org/ on the Internet or contact Ryan Dolan at kitchen scraps rather then sending them down the garbage disposal. 651-201-2479 or ryan.dolan@state.mn.us, or Barbara Ronningen at 651-201-2473 or barbara.ronningen@state.mn.us. To find out more about phosphorus and its many sources you can visit the Minnesota Pollution Control website at www.pca.state.mn.us/water/phosphorus.html. WHERE IS “AWAY” ANYWAY? We often hear and say, “Just throw it away.” But where is away? Typically, trash ends up in landfills or incinerators. But when you are RECYCLE YOUR HOLIDAY LIGHTS ice fishing, let’s make sure “away” doesn’t mean throwing trash on the When removing holiday decorations, you may come across tangled frozen lake. strings of holiday lights (and extension cords) that no longer work. You can now recycle those lights through the Recycling Association of Minnesota's Recycle Your Holidays™ Every year there is a tremendous problem with ice fishing enthusiasts program. The program offers numerous collection sites throughout the Twin Cities, throwing their trash on the frozen lake. As the lake thaws “away” becomes the including Andover Recycling Center, Coon Rapids Recycling Center, Snyders Drug- bottom of the lake. Not only is the trash unsightly, it does not do the lakes’ eco- stores, and the Holidazzle Parade. systems any favors. Strings of holiday lights are disassembled and parts such as the During the course of a day on the ice, a certain amount of trash accumulates: copper wires and light bulbs are recycled. wrappers, cans, plastics and other trash. Please bring a bag to bring these items home with you and recycle what you can so you have less to send to the landfill. DOLLARS INTO $ENSE CLASSES Third Tuesday of each month in 2010. A 1 1/2 hour class on the basics of developing Remember, if you love to ice fish, it’s in your best interest take care of the lake… a spending/saving plan that works. Topics covered: * Family talk about money, * or the fish may not bite next year. Tracking expenses and putting a plan together, * Dealing with non-monthly expenses, * Options for change, * Credit issues, * Reducing debt, * Where to get additional help. CENTERVILLE GARAGE SALE DAYS All classes take place at 10:00 a.m. or 7:00 p.m. Registration can be made at either Centerville Garage Sale Days is planned for May 7 & 8, 2010. Mark meeting. Morning classes take place at the Bunker Hills Activities Center, 550 Bunker your calendars and be sure to take time off of work to participate in Lake Boulevard N.W., Andover and evening classes take place at the Anoka County this annual event. What a GREAT way to recycle your children’s Human Services Center, 1201—89th Avenue N.E., Blaine. These classes are pre- outgrown clothing and toys, unused knick-knacks or furniture and more. sented by the University of Minnesota Extension, Anoka County and Anoka County GOOD TURN 2010/FLEA MARKET Dollar Works Volunteer Consultants. If you need to request disability accommoda- Both the Good Turn and Parks & Recreation Committees are planning their tions, please call 763-755-1280. Please visit www.extension.umn.edu/county/anoka respective events to coincide with the Annual Garage Sale Days. The finer for more information. details have yet to be determined; however, stock up on non-perishable foods, save those used bath towels and set aside unwanted, used cell phones for this event so that we can make it bigger and better than last years.