Additional info about composting and the like ...

I have an addition to THIS post on composting.

I was in downtown Salina this week and came across a flier that's trying to raise awareness about environmental issues. This is interesting: 14% of the Salina landfill is filled with food waste. Click on the above link to see all about composting ... it's another way to rid yourself of food scraps. BUT, be sure to NOT put meat in your compost, or you'll have the neighborhood dogs and coons in it.

It also compares water usage of Salina residents to that of Hays residents. Now, THIS is extremely interesting. In Hays, residents use an average of 89/gal/person/day. Any guesses for Salina?????

124. An average person in Salina uses 124 gal/person/day. When I first moved here, I suggested to the Salina city commission that they make water reduction a priority. In Hays, the city puts aside $1,000/year toward washer rebates. Yes, that's right. If you buy a high-efficency washer, the city will give you $100 towards its purchase. I believe they also take your old shower head and will give you a low-flow shower head gratis.

One of the most frustrating things about living in Salina is how wasteful people are with their water. I just cringe during the summer months. Maybe that's why I work so hard to use my rain barrels. I suppose I hope that my excessive collection and not using water will make up for the extra water that others are using.

In the Sal-Jo

SO, my first full day as a Salina resident was busy. Erik introduced me to the local
YMCA, where I'll start training TODAY for the swimming portion of a triathlon (I'm gonna swim, my buddy Kristine will run and Mr. Heath will bike).

I also stuck my nose into the city commission meeting. What can I say? After more than three years of covering Hays City Commission meetings, I missed them. Ok, not really, but the Salina commission was talking about water rates. I couldn't resist.

Some here in Salina are whiners about paying "conservation rates" if they use 120% more water during the summer than winter. Whatever. We survived just fine in Hays.

Commissioners seemed reluctant to offer incentives, but I wanted to encourage them to do so (they are UBER popular in Hays).

The Salina Journal reporter DID use my name, but I wasn't quoted. One quick note, I am using Erik's address as my permanent residence, BUT living with an awesome family just outside of town .... I mention this because they put addresses in the paper. On another quick note, most papers don't use family members of a staffer as a source ... I'm not sure if the reporter didn't know I'm engaged to Erik or if the info was that pertinent (I prefer to think the latter!). I am guessing he did ask E, though, because my name was spelled correctly in print (I was guessing it would be butchered!).

Ok, so here's the teaser to the story HERE. I'm not sure where the rest of it is. It isn't up, and it's Tuesday, so I'm not sure why....