Dear Just Be: I am surprised at how hot it has been this week! Can you share some energy saving tips for this summer?

It sure has been toasty this week- luckily we hear there is a cool front moving in this weekend. Just a bit of a reprieve from those scorching few days. But we are at the beginning of the summer season, with several more months ahead of us.

To watch your electric bills this summer, consider the following energy saving tips:

1. Set your air conditioning thermostat to 78 degrees (F).
2. Consider installing an evaporative cooler instead of an air conditioning unit if you are in the market to update your home.
3. If you already have an A/C unit, have it tuned up by a professional- this can help it run more efficiently and effectively.
4. If air conditioning is too expensive for your budget, consider purchasing a box fan for about $15 and exhausting the hot air out of your home during the day/bringing in the cooler night time air.
5. Open windows and doors in the evening to cool off your house and leave them open until you leave for work. Then close up the house, trapping the cooler air inside. (Consider drawing the blinds, shades or drapes on southern facing windows- to block out the heat of the sunshine.
6. Seal, caulk and insulate around your windows, outlets and doors. No sense in cooling the outside air!
7. Turn your water heater down to 120 degrees (F).
8. Consider unplugging appliances, such as TV's, toasters, stereos, when they are not in use. They still drain energy even when turned off.
9. Wash clothes in cold water and consider hanging them to dry, versus using hot water and a dryer.
10. Eat more fresh and raw foods, such as salads, this summer, instead of turning on your stove or oven.
11. Vacuum the coils on your refrigerator every 3 months to help it run more efficiently.

We hope you enjoy your summer days ahead, all while saving a few dollars too!

Dear Just Be: Are you prepared for severe weather this summer?

Summer in Colorado produces severe weather that can feel like it comes out of no where. The most common severe weather in Colorado during the summer months is high winds, hail, flash floods and tornadoes. Tornadoes are more common on the eastern plains, but if you haven’t learned this, anything is possible with Colorado weather, even snow.

Unfortunately, most fatalities occur because people think nothing bad will happen to them. On top of that, many people are not prepared. Not prepared because they don’t know what to do and/or because they don’t have the right tools and supplies to make it through severe weather.

Right now, it is sunny and 95 degrees outside, but even though there aren’t rain clouds you still need to be aware of the effects of weather and current conditions. Sadly, we have already lost three lives in Colorado to increased water levels. Because of the high temperatures, snow is melting at a rapid rate in the mountains which is raising the water levels in popular rafting and kayaking rivers as well as causing flooding in certain counties. Below are some quick tips on what to do with floods and flash floods:

Floods
• Know the water conditions in your neighborhood or your destination
• Stay alert for changing weather conditions
• Get out of areas subject to flooding like low spots, canyons, and areas downstream from dams
• Do not attempt to cross water that is above your knees
• Do not drive over a flooded road
• Abandon a stalled vehicle and immediately move to higher ground

Flash floods
• Flash floods can move at incredible speeds.
• If a flash flood warning is issued, or you realize a flash flood is coming, act quickly to save lives. You may have only seconds!
• Move to high ground - do not attempt to outrun the flood.
• Even 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock you off your feet, and a depth of two feet will float your car!
• NEVER try to walk, swim, or drive through such swift water. If you come upon flood waters, STOP! TURN AROUND AND GO ANOTHER WAY.

Tips from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs – Division of Emergency Management. Stay tuned for more tips on severe weather in Colorado.

Dear Just Be: Next month is my 20th wedding anniversary. Where can I take my wife in Colorado that is romantic?

A great romantic location that you don’t hear about too often is located in Western Colorado called Gateway. Gateway is 53 miles southwest of Grand Junction, Colorado.

Located in Gateway is Gateway Canyons, a picturesque, romantic getaway resort.Gateway Canyons has a number of amenities from fine dining at one of their multiple restaurants, to horseback riding. I like one of their more unique offerings which is the air tours of the area. Gateway Canyons also offers you the ability to just relax and take it easy while celebrating your anniversary with their spa. Visit their spa and get a facial, a body massage or both. All products in the spa are natural – another great fact.

This is a relatively new resort, so the chances are pretty good that it won’t be overly crowded. For me the best part about this destination is the prices. They have some great packages to choose from based on the occasion, and that won’t break the bank. I recommend you look at their Romance packages.

To learn more about this diamond in the rough, visit the Colorado Tourism site or the Gateway Canyons website.

Congratulations on 20 years of marriage and here is to at least 20 more!

A successful event

If you have ever planned an event for your employer whether it was a birthday party or an annual conference with 5,000 attendees you know there are numerous details involved as well as people needed to make the event go off well.

At Just Be, we had the opportunity to work with Janus Capital Group in putting on a party to celebrate 40 years of operations. Janus’s Event Coordinator realized that to pull off a seamless event they needed to bring on more people because there was no way their staff could be in more than one place at a time.

After an easy consultation with Janus Capital we were able to determine where our services could best be served. Our assistants directed 400 plus guests to parking for the celebration and where the celebration was located. In addition, we also assisted with coat check-in, so Janus’ guests could fully enjoy the evening without carrying and worrying about their personal belongings.

The event went by quickly and smoothly and we were happy to help make Janus’ big event a success.

Just Be is able to assist with all facets of an event from arranging transportation to and from a location to planning the event from beginning to end with developing themes all the way to paying vendors and finalizing budgets.

If you are in need of assistance with planning your company’s next event, whether big or small, think of Just Be Corporate Event Services as your resource for hosting successful events.

Dear Just Be: I'll be at the pool this summer quite a bit with my children- I am not a strong swimmer. Can you give me some safety tips?

Hello Reader! The dog days of summer seem to be upon us already, after a fairly hot weekend. Going to the pool, or beach, for families is a great way to cool off, get some sunshine and exercise. But it pays to pay attention and know a few safety tips before getting in the water.

• Learn to swim before you go into the water.There are many beginner swim lessons offered around town, taught by qualified instructors- take a course yourself and sign up your children.
  
• Swim near a lifeguard so help is available if you need it
• Never swim alone
• Supervise children closely, even when lifeguards are present
• Don't rely on flotation devices, such as rafts, you may lose them in the water
• Alcohol and swimming don't mix
• Protect your head, neck, and spine by jumping feet first into unfamiliar waters
• As soon as you believe that you may be in trouble, call or wave for help
• Follow regulations and lifeguard directions
• Watch out for neighborhood pools. Whether it is your own or your neighbors, toys that are left around the pool can attract children to the water.
• If you have a pool, make sure you surround it by a fence that is tall enough that children cannot climb over, and with a gate that locks.
• Always have a first-aid kit and emergency phone contacts handy. Parents should be trained in CPR.
• If you head out to a beach this summer, remember to swim parallel to shore if you wish to swim long distances.

Did you know?
1. Each year between 4,000 and 6,000 people drown in the United States.
2. It is the second leading cause of accidental deaths for persons 15 to 44 years old.
3. It is believed that two-thirds of the people who drown are believed to never have had any intention of being in the water.

Be safe this summer, follow these safety tips and have fun!