Dear Just Be: I need some Father’s Day gift ideas.

It is rumored that Father’s Day was first thought up by a woman named Sonora Dodd in Spokane, Washington in the early 1900s. Dodd was raised by her father after her mother died and she felt her father needed to know how special he was to her for all that he had done and sacrificed. She organized the first Father's Day celebration on the 19th of June 1910, because June was the month Dodd’s father was born. From this idea and first celebration, the observance expanded across the country. In 1926, a National Father's Day Committee was formed in New York City. In 1956, Father's Day was recognized by a Joint Resolution of Congress, and then in 1972, President Nixon created a permanent national observance of Father's Day to be held on the third Sunday of June.

To honor and recognize the fathers in your life, below are just some gift ideas to give this Sunday. These gift ideas range from the traditional to the more unique.

1.) Gift certificate to spend the day doing whatever the father in your life likes doing (i.e. playing golf, going hiking, watching sports, going fishing, etc.)

2.) Microbrew of the Month subscription

3.) Shirts (casual or professional)

4.) Tickets to a sporting event or concert

5.) Ties

6.) Family or personal photographs and frame

7.) Gift certificate to his favorite restaurant

8.) A hammock

9.) Tools/Gadgets (drills, iPhone, grilling thermometer etc.)

10.) Book(s)

11.) Movies or Music (CD, DVD, iTunes card)

12.) Magazine subscriptions

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.