Sites of the Month
Great Sites to Check Out
(from Partner Communication's monthly newsletter)
Watch The World’s Wind
earth.nullschool.net – Thanks to supercomputers and weather satellites, the
Wind Map team has come up with a global map of the wind. Click and drag to
rotate the globe or double click to zoom in. Click once to see what the wind is
doing at any point in the world.
Discover Your Inner Artist
weavesilk.com/ - This interactive site helps you create works of art using just your mouse of touchpad. Click on
“Draw something” to begin the process, then let the spirit move you. Everything you draw will automatically be
duplicated to make a symmetrical image.
Enjoy Fair Food At Home
food.com – If you didn’t get enough of iconic fair food this summer, check out this fairly spectacular recipe
collection. It features favorites such as chocolate bacon, fried Twinkies, corn dogs, blue-ribbon pies, and more.
Learn Fast and Have Fun
memrise.com – If the back-to-school season has inspired you to learn something new, you may want to check
out this education site. There are thousands of free courses – from languages to history to trivia – all using
science-based learning techniques to improve your memory and increase your fun.
Enter Your Birthdate for Cool Statistics
you.regettingold.com – We’re all getting older. But thanks to this site, we can also get wiser. Enter your
birthdate to see all kinds of factoids including how many birthday candles have been on your cakes so far,
approximately how many breaths you’ve taken in total, and major news headlines from each phase of your life.
Is Your Fireplace Ready for Fall?
usfa.fema.gov -- With temperatures dropping, you may be in the mood to start a fire in your fireplace or
woodstove. Before you do, take a quick look at this site. It offers reminders on the importance of inspections
and cleaning, using the proper wood and more.
Recipes for a Better Morning
cookinglight.com – September is Better Breakfast Month and a great time to try some quick and healthy
breakfast recipes. Take a look at delicious options including Blueberry Power Muffins, Greek Yogurt Parfaits,
and Mini Frittatas with Ham and Cheese.
Understanding Ebola
cdc.gov – The recent West African outbreak of Ebola has captured headlines and understandably raised
concerns. This site from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is a great resource for learning about
transmission, signs and symptoms, risk of exposure, prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
We have 5 Mousehole Days t-shirts for youngsters
available at City Hall for half price. We have 1 2T, 1 4T,
one Youth Small, 2 Youth Large. We have 1 Small Adult
shirt available.
We also have 1 Melbourne Movie left - $15
DATA BREACH ALERT
Russian Hackers Steal 1.2 Billion Passwords
Have you heard of the CyberVor hackers in Russia? Hold Security, the Milwaukee firm that discovered
the hack this summer, gave them the name CyberVor since “vor” means “thief” in Russian. These
thieves stole 1.2 billion usernames and passwords, along with 540 million email addresses across
420,000 sites.
To do it, they used a botnet, which is a network of computers infected with a virus or malware that lets
a hacker control or monitor them to some degree. Whenever a user on an infected computer visited a
website, the computer tested the website to see if it was susceptible to hacking. If it was, the criminals
flagged the website, and returned later with a hack called an SQL injection, which reproduces the
website’s database contents.
This data breach prompts us to again remind you to regularly change your passwords. If you use the
same passwords for multiple websites, quit this practice. Reusing passwords makes it easier for hackers
to get into many of your accounts and access key information like your credit card data.
The Internet and Your Kids
Keeping children safe is any parent's first priority. But computers, tablets and smart phones have become so
common, we can sometimes forget danger lurks in the form of predators, identity thieves and plain old
bullies (school has started)! Here are a few tips:
1. Talk to your kids about the dangers of online predators. It's an uncomfortable topic, but don't
assume-even the most confident-seeming child can be caught unawares by sometimes sophisticated
predators.
2. Talk to your child about bullying (both sides of the issue). We've all heard horror stories about
children who were bullied relentlessly. Social media, email and texting give bullies 24-hours access.
3. Warn your child to NEVER give personal information (address, phone, social security number, birth
date) without your permission. Many adults are often fooled into giving info to identity thieves – and
kids can be especially vulnerable.
4. Speaking of that - KNOW what sites your child visits! Visit the browser history – and make private
browsing (where the sites aren't recorded in the computer's history) off limits! Safety trumps privacy
– you wouldn't let your child travel to the largest city in the world unattended, would you? That's
what the Internet IS...the largest gathering of people on earth!
5. Does your kid use the Internet at friends' houses or other places besides home? Are THEY monitoring
and controlling Internet use, too?
6. Watch for changes in behavior – withdrawn behavior can be a sign something is wrong. Your child
may be being bullied, or a predator is attempting to drive a wedge between them and you.
Make sure the summer is filled with in-person play, too! The online world is an amazing place, but help your
child stay mentally sharp and socially skilled by ensuring they get OFF the computer or phone and spend
some quality, IN PERSON time with other kids.
If you will be moving, contact the city clerk’s office before your final date. We need to know your
forwarding address and when you will be moving so we can do the final read on your meter.
DISASTER SPECIALIST WARNS OF WEATHER SHIFT
(Taken from Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities Informer Newsletter
{January 2013})
More severe weather and more destructive storms are on the horizon for
Iowa, and city and utility officials need to prepare now. That’s the judgment
of Eddy Weiss, a disaster preparedness & response
specialist/firefighter/storm chaser and severe weather aficionado who spoke
to IAMU member utility managers at the association’s recent Superintendent
and Foremen’s meeting.
Weiss, whose company, Chasing4Life, operates the Chasing4Life disaster
Response Team (C4LDRT), is no stranger to adverse weather, and in fact, as a storm chaser, seeks it out – which
motivated him to recently move from central Nebraska to Eldora, Iowa. Weiss says in his opinion Iowa will be
the epicenter of increased severe weather activity in the coming years, and he wants to be in the middle of it.
He pointed out to the audience that what has been referred to as “tornado alley” in the United States for the
last 50+ years has shifted further east, and Iowa is now considered part of it. One recent study states Iowa has
had one of the highest rates of tornado touchdowns per 100 square miles in the past two decades, with only
Florida and Kansas having more.
Weiss joked with the meeting attendees that while we may have dodged a bullet in missing the “Mayan
Apocalypse” of December21, 2012. What the Mayans actually said in their prophecies was not that the world
would come to an end, but after that date the world would enter a new era. He said he feels as far as weather
is concerned, that time has already arrived with a significant increase in severe weather activity, with the worst
still to come. Weiss’ mission is to help people deal with disasters through proactive planning – what he calls the
“what if it happens here” philosophy. His corporate slogan is “With more education will need less response.”
He urged IAMU members to indulge their “paranoid side” and think about what happens when various
infrastructure, departments and business in their hometowns go down due to disaster, and to make
contingency plans now before the time arrives. More information is available at Weiss’ web site,
www.Chasing4Life.org.
Surviving Winter
It is important for us to prepare for the power of winter storms.
It is also important to check and winterize your vehicles before the winter season begins. Keep your
gas tank nearly full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines. Make sure your car's battery is in good
shape – cold temperatures can reduce the effectiveness of a battery by 50 percent.
If expecting adverse weather during your trip, tell someone at both ends of your journey where you
are going and the route you intend to take. Report your safe arrival. Make certain that both parties
have your cell phone number and license plate number before you start your trip.
Here are some Driving tips. Be gentle with both the accelerator and brake. Don't use cruise control in
wintery conditions. Don't be overly confident in your four-wheel drive vehicle. You may get going
quicker than others but you can't stop faster. Four-wheel drive vehicles can lose traction as quickly as
two-wheel drive.
Carry a winter storm survival kit in the back seat of your vehicle (in case your trunk jams or is frozen
shut) that includes:
Blankets or sleeping bags
Flashlight with extra batteries
First-aid kit
Shovel, tools, booster cables and windshield scraper
High-calorie non-perishable food (raisins, candy bars, energy/protein bars, etc.)
Sand or cat litter to use for traction
Cell phone adapter
Millions of dangerous, faulty space heaters have been recalled.
Is yours one of them?
Even if you haven’t received a recall notice on your space heater – many people don’t, since they didn’t
register their space heater with the manufacturer when they purchased it – check to see if it’s been recalled
before you plug it in for the first time this fall. Go to the U.S. consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
website at www.cpsc.gov, and enter the manufacturer’s name and/or model number in the Search box at the
top of the page. Check the Recalls & News Releases button before starting your search.
A faulty space heater can present a burn hazard or overheat and catch fire, damaging your home. If you own a
recalled unit, don’t use it until it’s been repaired or replaced.
Follow these safety tips to prevent home fires.
After checking to see if your electric space heater has been recalled, give the unit a checkup before plugging it
in.
If your space heater hasn’t been recalled, give it the once-over. Inspect the case, guard, controls, cord and
plug—and never operate a heater you suspect is damaged. If the unit looks OK, follow all of the manufacturer’s
operating and maintenance instructions.
Also check for a secure fit of the space heater’s plug in the wall outlet. If it’s loose, use another outlet to power
the heater and have an electrician replace the original outlet.
Here are some more safety tips to keep in mind:
 Place the heater on a level, hard and nonflammable surface – not on a rug or carpet – where people
won’t bump into it.
 Never run the heater’s cord under a rug or carpet. This can damage the cord, causing it and nearby
objects to burn.
 Keep the heater at least 3 feet from bedding, drapes, furniture, papers and other flammable materials.
 Don’t power the heater with an extension cord or power strip.
 Always turn off the space heater when you go to sleep – and don’t put one close to a sleeping person.
 Turn off the space heater if you leave the house – or even the room where the heater’s located.
 Keep children and pets away from the unit at all times.
 During use, frequently check to see if the heater’s plug or cord – or the wall outlet – is hot. If either of
them is, immediately discontinue using the heater. Then replace the heater or have it inspected and
repaired by an authorized technician. If the outlet is hot, call an electrician to check and/or replace the
wall outlet.
 To prevent electrical shocks and electrocutions, always keep the electric heater away from water, and
never touch an electric heater if you’re wet.
For more information on space heater safety, go to the UL website at http://ul.com or the CPSC website at
www.cpsc.gov.
One of the best ways to protect yourself and your family is to have a working
smoke alarm that can sound fast for both a fire that has flames, and a smoky
fire that has fumes without flames. It is called a “Dual Sensor Smoke Alarm.”
A smoke alarms greatly reduces your chances of dying in a fire. Prepare an
escape plan and practice it often. Make sure everyone in your family knows at
least two (2) escape routes from their bedrooms
PET OWNER REMINDER: It is unlawful for any owner to allow an animal to run at large within the corporate
limits of the City (Chapter 55). Animals found in violation shall be seized and impounded at the impoundment
facilities and/or may receive a fine. The owner may be served a summons to appear before a proper court to
answer charges. The owner may also be invoiced by the City for seizure and transport charges
The City of Melbourne offices will be
closed on November 27 and 28 for
Thanksgiving and December 25 for
Christmas.
SET YOUR CLOCKS BACK
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME ENDS - NOVEMBER 2, 2014
At 2:00 AM on the first Sunday in November we set our clocks back one hour to
return to Standard Time. Daylight Savings Time is four weeks longer since 2007
due to the passage of the Energy Policy Act in 2005. Daylight Savings Time will
return on March 8, 2015.
FACTS ABOUT IOWA CITIES
There are many online resources that can help you develop an Internet safety plan for your family.
Research, and develop a plan that works for you!

There are 493 cities under 500 in population; 296 from 501 to 2000;
122 from 2,001 to 10,000; 38 over 10,000.

If you drank bottled water every day for 70 years, it would cost about
$101k. The same for tap water? Roughly $40. (Source: Des Moines
Water Works, 2012)
For traffic counts by county or city, see (www.iowadot.gov/maps//). For
example: The busiest spot on Iowa’s roadways is on I-235 in Des Moines
between 56th Street and 42nd Street where the average daily traffic in
2012 was 118,300 vehicles per day. (From the Iowa
DOT: www.iowadot.gov/about/traffic.html)

Motor vehicles on Iowa’s public roads traveled an estimated 31.58
billion miles in 2012 (Iowa DOT).

More DOT information is available online:
Waterways
Bicycles and Pedestrians
Roadside Maintenance and Enhancement
A Citizen’s Guide to City Council Meetings
Regular City Council meetings are conducted the second Monday of each month, at
7:00 p.m., in the City Hall, at 111 1st Street. Agendas for upcoming Council meetings
are available on our website and in the City Clerk’s Office the Friday afternoon prior to
the meeting. Current agendas are also available at the meeting.
Time is set aside for public participation toward the beginning of each meeting. At this
time, residents wishing to address the City Council concerning items of interest, not
included on the agenda, may do so for five (5) minutes. The person addressing the
Council, when recognized, must state their name and address for the record. All
remarks shall be directed to the entire City Council. The Council cannot act on any item
not listed on the agenda and will delay action until the next month when they are fully
informed on the matter.
Important Utility Bill Information
Utility payments are due upon receipt and considered late after the 15th of the month. There is a drop slot in the
front door of City Hall and payments are collected each day. Any payment dropped in the box after 3:00 p.m. is
considered the next day’s business. If the 15th falls on Saturday or Sunday, the box is emptied at 8:00 a.m. on the
Monday following and any payments made after 4:00 p.m. are considered late. The 15 th is not a postmark deadline
and all payments received after the 15th are considered late. If you do not receive your bill, please do not hesitate to
contact us at 482- 3338 to request a duplicate billing or to find out the amount due.
WHAT, I FORGOT TO PAY MY WATER BILL???
You can sign up to have your water/sewer bill automatically taken from your bank account at
MidWestOne Bank each month. This service is convenient and free. This will eliminate any late fees.
You will still receive your bill so you know the amount that will be deducted. The amount is taken
out around the 10th of each month. If you sign up before month end, it will start with the next bill.
Stop at the city clerk’s office to fill out a form!
“Scoop the Poop”
We would like to encourage responsible pet ownership. Pet owners are reminded that dogs are required
to be under voice command at all times and dogs running at large are at risk of confinement and their
owners at risk of hefty fees. We ask all pet owners to be mindful of others and the environment and to
“scoop the poop” at all times. Please remember to collect and dispose of collection bags responsibly,
Per Chapter 55 of our Animal Code of Ordinances, Melbourne, IA. Copies of this can be viewed
at City Hall.
Inoperable Vehicles
The Melbourne Police Department would like to remind residents that inoperable motor vehicles are not allowed to
be parked within the city unless they are concealed within a garage or other structure or are behind a privacy fence.
The City ordinance states that it shall be unlawful to keep, park, store or abandon any motor vehicle which is not in
operating condition, partially dismantled, used for repair of parts or as a source of repair or replacement parts for
other vehicles, kept for scrapping, dismantling or salvage of any kind, or which is not properly licensed for operation
with the state. Such vehicles are considered a health hazard and the owner can be cited for this violation. If you wish
to report an inoperable vehicle in your neighborhood, please contact the Melbourne Police Department at 641-4823338.
Safety First - Stay Informed
The National Weather Service (NWS) issues winter storm warnings and watches. Here's what
they mean and what you should do.
Winter Storm Watch – Winter storm conditions (heavy snow, sleet and freezing rain) are possible
within the next 36-48 hours. Continue monitoring the weather forecast.
Winter Storm or Ice Storm Warning – A significant winter event is occurring or will begin in the
next 24 hours. The combination of snow, sleet, freezing rain and moderate winds will impact travel
and outdoor activities. An Ice Storm Warning is issued when mostly freezing rain is expected with
ice accumulations of 1/4 inch or more within a 12-hour period. Take necessary precautions – consider
canceling travel plans.
Blizzard Warning – A dangerous event with winds that are 35 mph or greater in combination with
falling and/or blowing snow that reduces visibility to 1/4 mile or less for a duration of at least 3
hours.
ARE YOU FLUSHING MONEY DOWN THE DRAIN?
7.0 gal/flush ___
___51,000 gal/year
5.0 gal/flush ___
___36,000 gal/year
3.5 gal/flush ___
___22,500 gal/year
1.6 gal/flush ___
___11,680 gal/year
Average annual water consumption composite is based on an average of a 4-person
family with five flushes per person per day for 365 days.
ATTENTION SNOWMOBILERS!
Snowmobilers, yes you will eventually get to use your sled. When you do, please remember a few
simple guidelines. Ride on a designated trail when possible. If you must ride in the street, be sure the
street has a snow cover and use the most direct route to and from your destination on designated
streets. Do not ride over other people’s private property. This simply isn’t your property and you do
not have a right to be there. The owner may have something in the yard that you would destroy or
could do harm to your sled. Do not ride over side-walks. This makes the snow really hard to remove.
Do not drink and drive. The life you save might be your own.
Clear Your Fire Hydrant
As we head into the winter weather season, the Melbourne City Fire Department would like to
remind you to clear snow away from fire hydrants as you shovel and plow sidewalks and
driveways. When recovering from a major snowfall, it's easy to forget emergency responders not
only need access to your front door, but to the equipment that will help save your home in the
event of an emergency.
It is recommended that you clear a three-foot perimeter around fire hydrants that are covered
with snow. It's also helpful to shovel an access path to the road, so fire fighters can easily thread
a water hose to the hydrant from the street. In general, for every minute a home fire goes
unsuppressed or undetected, it doubles in size. Every second counts. If a fire occurs in your
home or in your neighborhood, help save precious time by shoveling snow to gain access to the
fire hydrant.
“Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once a year, but
when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in.” by
Marjorie Moore
You can volunteer for several committees here in Melbourne by signing up at City Hall:
Community Development Association, Beautification Committee, Town Cleanup Committee,
Green and Growing Committee and Mousehole Days Committee.
Remember to move cars off the street when snow begins to fall. They must remain off the
street until snow is removed from curb to curb and snow has stopped falling. Make plans now
where to put your vehicle while the streets are being plowed. Vehicles not moved can, and will,
be towed at owner's expense.
it requirements. Building permits
are not required for roofing and siding projects. If you have a building project, check with the
city clerk’s office to see if a building permit is required and if there are any regulations you have
to be sure to follow. Projects needing a permit that are started before a permit is issued may
have the fees doubled.
Facts about the state flag of Iowa
The state flag of Iowa, born in military honor, also
reflects the history of all its peoples from its Native
Americans to its French settlers to its modern
citizens. The design depicts the pride of Iowans in
their state and in their status as citizens of the United
States.
Although Iowa became a state on December 28,
1846, Iowans were not eager to adopt a state flag.
They felt that the national flag represented them very well and did not feel the need for a state
flag until the First World War.
During the war, Iowa had a regiment of National Guardsmen stationed along the Mexican border
beside regiments from other states. The other regiments had regimental flags to represent their
units, but Iowa had none. When Iowa governor William L. Harding ordered a regimental banner
to be sent to the guardsmen, he discovered that the regiment had no flag.
Enter the Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)! The DAR convened a
flag committee and held a design contest within their ranks. Governor Harding and the State
Council on National Defense selected the winning design on May 11, 1917, choosing Dixie
Cornell Gebhardt’s entry.
Mrs. Gebhardt’s design was comprised of three background stripes, on blue, one white, and one
red, the blue one being nearest the flag’s staff, the white one in the middle, and the red one on
the outside. The white stripe was twice as broad as the other stripes to accommodate the blazon
of an American bald eagle clutching a blue ribbon with the state motto written in white letters in
its talons. The state motto read, “Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain.”
Beneath the eagle, the state’s name was emblazoned in red capital letters.
Although almost one hundred years old, this basic design still represents the state of Iowa today.
The primary difference in today’s flag is a change in the motto ribbon. The ribbon is now white,
outlined in blue and the lettering is blue.
Once a design was selected, the DAR organized another committee to bankroll the fabrication of
flags for Iowa’s eight outgoing regiments. One flag was sent to the Third Iowa, fighting World
War One in France. Governor Harding presented the other seven banners to units drilling at
Camp Cody.
The new Iowa regimental flags were manufactured at Annin and Company of New York City
and offered for general sale. Ten percent of each flag sale was donated to the American Red
Cross to support their war relief programs.
On March 29, 1921, at the urging of the DAR, the Iowa General Assembly voted to adopt the
regimental flag as the state flag. The design, display requirements, and care for the flag were
written into law as part of the Iowa Code.
Mrs. Gebhardt felt strongly about the message her state flag should convey both the citizens of
Iowa and to the rest of the world. She wrote that “Iowa’s banner should embrace the history of
its domain from the time of its occupation by the Indians to discovery by the French and
purchase from Napoleon by Jefferson, to its admission into the Union, down to the present time.
All this should be represented in a design so simple that school children and adults can recognize
its symbolism and know that it meant Iowa.
According to Mrs. Gebhardt, all of the flag’s components have significance. The red, white and
blue stripes in the configuration in which they appear are reminiscent of the national flag of
France and pay homage to the state’s French roots. During the seventeenth and eighteenth
centuries, the territory that would become Iowa belonged to France, only becoming United States
property when Thomas Jefferson bought it in 1803 as part of the Louisiana Purchase.
The colors themselves also hold meaning. The White stripe represents the area’s unrecorded
history before statehood when Native Americans lived and hunted the forests and prairie lands.
White also symbolizes Iowa’s purity. The blue stripe symbolizes the state’s sense of justice, truth
and loyalty. Along with the red letters of the state’s name, the red stripe represents the courage of
Iowa’s citizens and the blood sacrifice that Iowa’s soldiers have shed defending their country.
On the center stripe, the bald eagle and the ribbon with the state motto are combined to represent
Iowa’s proud status as part of the United States while maintaining its individuality as a sovereign
state of the union.
Through the years, the Iowa state flag has been part of a number of commemorative displays. On
December 28, 1946, the Iowa flag appeared on the three cent stamp to celebrate the state’s
centennial anniversary. On March 29, 1996, the seventy-fifth anniversary of the flag’s adoption,
the Iowa Sesquicentennial Commission unveiled a monument at 217 South Second Street in
Knoxville, Iowa, the site of Gebhardt’s home when she designed the flag. The monument
memorializing Dixie Cornell Gebhardt and the flag’s design, is the pride of Knoxville, which
calls itself the “Birthplace of the Iowa flag.”
(Flag to color below)
Friday, October 31, 2014, is Halloween. If you wish to have little
goblins stop at your home, be sure to have your porch light on and the
treat bowl full! Move candles and items that may trip children away
from the path to your door.
Parents, be sure to accompany your children while they trick or treat.
Children should be able to see and walk easily in their costume. Also,
check all treats for signs of tampering before you allow them to start
snacking. I’ve always found it wise to sample a couple of pieces of
chocolate, just to make sure it is ok to eat! Have fun and stay safe!
Happy Halloween!
MELBOURNE CITY WIDE CLEAN UP
OCTOBER 6, 2014
THRU
OCTOBER 10, 2014
USE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO CLEAN UP
AROUND YOUR HOME
LET'S TAKE PRIDE IN OUR TOWN!!!
SIGN UP AND PREPAY AT CITY HALL
LIST OF ITEMS FOR PICK-UP
White Goods: Microwaves, stoves/ovens, washer/dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators or freezers (door
removed), hot water heaters, air conditioners. NO TV’S ACCEPTED
Fee of $10.00 per item
Propane Cylinders: Fee of $3.00
Tires: 13” to 21” - $3.00
22” to 28” - $10.00
28” and over - $20.00 (add $2 if on rim)
THESE ITEMS MUST BE KEPT SEPARATE FROM OTHER ITEMS TO BE PICKED UP
Furniture: Couches, chairs, tables, beds and dressers
Metal: Metal tubs/sinks, iron bed frames, lawn tractors, mowers, snow blowers, garden tillers,
etc. (ALL FLUIDS MUST BE REMOVED), bicycle parts, car parts, (fluids removed), metal
chairs, metal siding/gutters/down spouts. NO NAILS OR BOLTS
LIST OF ITEMS THAT WILL NOT BE PICKED UP
GARBAGE, YARD WASTE, CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL, HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE,
WASTE OIL, ANTIFREEZE, PAINT OR PAINT CANS.
THE LANDFILL DOES NOT ACCEPT ANY FREE LIQUIDS, DEAD ANIMALS, HAZARDOUS
WASTE, WHOLE CAR BODIES OR WHOLE BARRELS.
THE LANDFILL NO LONGER ACCEPTS COMPUTERS OR COMPUTER COMPONENTS—THESE
MUST BE RECYCLED—GOODWILL WILL TAKE THEM, NO MATTER HOW OLD
PLEASE DO NOT EXPECT US TO TAKE WHAT YOU CAN SEND IN YOUR WEEKLY GARBAGE.
WE WANT TO TAKE THE LARGE PIECES THAT THE GARBAGE HAULER WILL NOT TAKE!
THERE WILL BE A MINIMUM FEE OF $10.00 TO TAKE PART IN THE CLEAN UP. THIS FEE AND
DONATIONS PAY FOR THE FUEL USED IN ALL THE TRIPS TO THE LANDFILL.
IF YOU DO NOT SIGN UP—WE WILL NOT PICK UP.
SIGN UP FEE MUST BE SEPARATE FROM WATER BILL AND WE NEED A LIST OF
WHAT WE ARE PICKING UP.
(Gary & Jed would appreciate any volunteer help loading the trucks each day)
PLEASE HAVE ITEMS ON CURB NO LATER
THAN THURSDAY EVENING
The City of Melbourne does not accept Debit or Credit cards, but please consider using your
banks’ bill pay option. Most banks offer this service at no charge to the customer. You will need
to check with your personal bank to get their policy.
One word of caution if you use this option - you will want payment to come out of your account
no later than the 10th of the month. Even though most of us bank “locally”, the payments
generally come from out of state such as California, North Carolina, Texas, etc. You will need to
allow extra time for the payment to arrive through the mail. Unfortunately, if it comes in late,
there will be a “late fee” already assessed. By having it sent BY the 10th, you should avoid it
arriving after the due date.
Plug basement air leaks
Since air moves into and out of your home through even the smallest
holes, it’s important to seal every air leak you can find. Of course, there
are many areas of your home that can benefit from sealing leaks, but
down in the basement is one of the easiest places to start.
For around $10 – the cost of a tube of caulk and a can of expanding spray
foam – you easily can caulk and seal these energy-wasting air leaks. From
the basement, you have two goals:
 Seal air leaks around the foundation and holes for pipes and wires to the outside. To make
sure the air leaks are totally sealed, caulk from both the inside and the outside.
Look for sunlight coming through holes in the foundation. Also pull back the
insulation from the band joist at the tip of the foundation to look for leaks.
 Stop the chimney effect – air that leaks into your home through holes where plumbing,
ducting and electrical wiring penetrate your basement ceiling, rising through the walls of
your house and escaping into your attic.
When reaching overhead, don’t work with your face directly under the spot you’re
caulking, in case a glob of caulk or expanding foam falls.
Tip No. 1: Turn off the power before you start checking wires that go through the foundation, an
exterior wall or the basement ceiling.
Tip No. 2: Wear gloves, a dust mask, safety glasses, and old clothes or a protective Tyvek suit
when you’re removing and replacing insulation. When caulking overhead, use safety glasses too.
Tip No. 3: Use latex or silicone caulk for gaps up to ¼ inch. If the space is larger, use expanding
foam; a little foam goes a long way, so carefully read the manufacturer’s instructions before you
start.
Disclaimer: A reasonably competent home do-it-yourselfer should be able to complete this project in a relatively short time
period. If you’re uncomfortable with the techniques mentioned here or the product manufacturer’s instructions, please contact a
professional technician, licensed electrician or qualified contractor for assistance.
The Mousehole Days Committee is going to once again hold our Holiday Bazaar at the Rec Center
December 6, 2014 from 9 am – 3 pm. We are trying to get a wide variety of vendors so there is
something for everyone and every age. Watch for more information in the coming weeks.
It has been pretty quiet this summer at the Fire Department. In addition to our regular monthly
meetings and training we had several members go to fire school in Cedar Rapids the last
weekend in September. These are great opportunities for the guys to get training that we can’t
provide locally and to talk to firefighters from all over the state and country.
We would like to welcome two new members and one returning member to the Melbourne Fire
Department. James Carmichael and Seth Gray joined the department in August. And we
welcomed Logan Daters back, he was a junior firefighter and took time off to go to school.
Welcome to all our new members.
Our annual fish fry was held in August. We would like to thank everyone that came out and
supported us again this year. We always have a great turnout for the fish fry and fireworks and
the parade. We are still taking donations of cans and bottles for the fireworks for next year’s
Mousehole Days and July 4th, please put your donations in the container at the fire station.
The first week of October is Fire Prevention Week. Remember that Fire Prevention Week is a
good time to change your smoke alarm batteries.
We have applied for a grant through the Iowa DNR for several items. We are also going to apply
for a federal “Aid to Firefighters” grant at the end of September or early October. We will be
applying for a grant to replace our over 40 year old tanker. Wish us luck and we will let you
know how we do in a later newsletter.
We are always looking for new members. If you are interested in joining and serving your
community as a volunteer firefighter contact any member of the department or look for the signup sheet elsewhere in this newsletter. We also have a junior firefighter program for 16-18 years
old. If anyone is interested contact any member of the fire department.
Melbourne Fire Department
50 + Club
We would love to welcome (Singles or Couples) to come join us on the 4th Monday of each
month for pot luck and fellowship. We meet at the Rec Center on Main St. in Melbourne. Pot
luck at noon and a short business meeting follows. Sometimes we have a guest speaker or play
bingo. Always open for new ideas. President is Kay Monroe and Marilyn White fills in when
Kay is absent. Secretary /Treasurer is Linda Fuller. We throw in a buck a month to help pay the
rent and also at Christmas time we do something special for some of the veterans at the Iowa
Veterans Home in Marshalltown. So feel free to come join us on the 4th month of each month
and enjoy the company of others. Please bring your table service and a covered dish to share.
GAMES
FOOD
HAYRIDE
NON-SCARY MOVIE
SCARY CAMPFIRE STORIES
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31
7 PM – 9PM AT THE MELBOURNE REC CENTER
$5 AT THE DOOR WILL GET YOU A MEAL OF
HOT DOGS NACHOS
DRINK COOKIE
$3 FOR AN ADULT MEAL
WEAR YOUR COSTUME, PLAY GAMES, HAVE A
MEAL……………………………………..HAVE FUN!!
We are looking for volunteers to help with set-up, tear down, and any activities
during the evening.
News from Melbourne United Methodist Church
As we enter the fall season at Melbourne UMC, we prepare not
only to celebrate the color, traditions, and the gathering in of the
harvest, we also anticipate enjoying the special days of the church
that lie ahead. We include in this list also, several events that have
become special to us in the life of our parish. Events like the fall harvest dinner
fund-raiser, and the days we “hang the greens” for the approaching church season
of Advent. Though these events await specific scheduling, we hope you will
remain watchful and join with us on the appropriate days.
Coming on November 2, is All Saint’s Sunday. In our service that day, we will
remember the sainted members of our own families that have passed on to the
“Church Triumphant”. On Sunday November 23, our Thanksgiving service will
help us prepare for our individually observed holiday events that follow just a few
days later. Then the “New” church year begins with the arrival of the Season of
Advent on Sunday November 30. In Advent we wait patiently for the birth of our
Lord, which we will lift up on Christmas Eve, December 24th. Other programming
events are being discussed also.
If you, or you and your family are looking for a church home, or simply find that
you are ready to come home to having the presence of Christ in your life, the
Melbourne United Methodist Church warmly welcomes you. Come and find joy
together with us, as we laugh, and experience life together. Our current weekly
service is 11:00 AM on Sunday mornings. We join with our friends at St. John
UCC in lifting up our Lord in the Melbourne community. Thanks, and welcome!
P.S. Blue jeans are O.K.!
AT THE NEXT CITY COUNCIL MEETING ON OCTOBER 13, WE WILL ALSO HAVE A
SPECIAL TOWN MEETING ABOUT THE FATE OF THE MOUSEHOLE.
JOIN US AT THE REC. CENTER
OCTOBER 13, 2014
7 PM
NEW RATED G & PG DVD’S ADDED TO OUR COLLECTION:
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Mighty Joe Young
The Bad News Bears
March of the Penguins
The Cat in the Hat
Invincible
Robin Hood
Won’t Back Down
A Fine Step
Ice Age: Continental Drift
The Wizard of Oz
The Jungle Book
Flubber
Monsters University
Dumbo
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Here Comes the Boom
The Lego Movie
The Nut Job
Walking With Dinosaurs
The Aristocats
The Odd Life of Timothy Green
Hotel Transylvania
Heaven is for Real
Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron
Rio 2
God’s Not Dead
NEW RATED PG-13 & R DVD’s ADDED TO OUR COLLECTION:
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The Monuments Men
Best of Duck Dynasty
Gimme Shelter
Mud
Lone Survivor
Homefront
Cellular
The Counselor
The Spectacular Now
Grudge Match
Delivery Man
Philomena
The Dark Knight Rises
Beautiful Creatures
After Earth
The Impossible
Admission
The Call
Captain Phillips
RoboCop
Thor: The Dark World
Snitch
Jack Reacher
Endless Love
Enough Said
The Book Thief
Girl Most Likely
Red
Side Effects
The Other Woman
Lullaby
The Amazing Spider-Man 2
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Blended
New Books Added to Our Collection:
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The City – Dean Koontz – Adult Fiction
Landline – Rainbow Rowell – Adult Fiction
One Plus One – Jojo Moyes – Adult Fiction
Beautiful Oblivion – Jamie McGuire – Adult Fiction
Walking Disaster – Jamie McGuire – Adult Fiction
Invisible – James Patterson – Adult Fiction
Mr Mercedes – Stephen King – Adult Fiction
Cut and Thrust – Stuart Woods – Adult Fiction
Carnal Curiosity – Stuart Woods – Adult Fiction
Dark Places – Gillian Flynn – Adult Fiction
Sharp Objects – Gillian Flynn – Adult Fiction
Big Little Lies – Liane Moriarty – Adult Fiction
The Husband’s Secret – Liane Moriarty – Adult Fiction
The Invention of Wings – Sue Monk Kidd – Adult Fiction
Silver Bay – Jojo Moyes – Adult Fiction
My Name is Mary Sutter – Robin Oliveirz – Adult Fiction
Mean Streak – Sandra Brown – Adult Fiction
Personal – Lee Child – Adult Fiction
Orange is the New Black – Piper Kerman – Adult Nonfiction
12 Years a Slave – Solomon Northrup – Adult Nonfiction
The Mockingbird Next Door – Marja Mills – Adult Nonfiction
R is for Robot – Adam F. Watkins – Juvenile Fiction
A Boy and a Jaguar – Alan Rabinowitz – Juvenile Fiction
The Midnight Library – Kazuno Kohara – Juvenile Fiction
Foreman Farley Has a Backhoe – Jenny Goebel – Juvenile Fiction
Little Teddy Left Behind – Anne Mangan – Juvenile Fiction
Fawn at Woodland Way – Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld – Juvenile Fiction
Ninja Boy Goes to School – N.D. Wilson – Juvenile Fiction
David Goes to School – David Shannon – Juvenile Fiction
The World’s Greatest Football Players – Matt Doeden – Juvenile Nonfiction
All About Drawing Farm & Forest Animals – Robbin Cuddy – Juvenile Nonfiction
New Books Added to Our Collection (Continued):
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Raising Cows on the Koebels’ Farm – Alice K. Flanagan – Juvenile Nonfiction
Tuesday Tucks Me In – Luis Carlos Montalvan – Juvenile Nonfiction
Guinness World Records 2015 – Guinness World Records – Juvenile NonFiction
Robot Man – Paul Orshoski – Easy Reader
Bugs on the Bus – Paul Orshoski – Easy Reader
My Sitter is a T-Rex! – Paul Orshoski – Easy Reader
The Horse Lover’s Book – Stephanie Ledu – Easy Reader
I Want to be a Cowboy! – Sindy McKay – Easy Reader
The Fault In Our Stars – John Green – Young Adult
Where She Went – Gayle Forman – Young Adult
Shelter – Harlan Coben – Young Adult
Seconds Away – Harlan Coben – Young Adult
Blazed – Jason Myers – Young Adult
There Will Come a Time – Carrie Arcos – Young Adult
Complicit – Stephanie Kuehn – Young Adult
These Gentle Wounds – Helene Dunbar – Young Adult
Wonder – R.J. Palacio – Young Adult
Will Grayson, Will Grayson – John Green – Young Adult
Paper Towns – John Green – Young Adult
Looking For Alaska – John Green – Young Adult
The Book Thief – Markus Zusak – Young Adult
Divergent – Veronica Roth – Young Adult
Insurgent – Veronica Roth – Young Adult
Allegiant – Veronica Roth – Young Adult
Two Girls Staring at the Ceiling – Lucy Frank – Young Adult