• 2009-2010 RAV4,
• 2009-2010 Corolla,
• 2009-2010 Matrix,
• 2005-2010 Avalon,
• Certain 2007-2010 Camry
• 2010 Highlander except hybrid models,
• 2007-2010 Tundra,
• 2008-2010 Sequoia

Keeping you safe, here is link for more information on the Toyota Accelerator Pedal Recall.

Call your local energy provider to report an actual outage. Do not call 911 unless there is a real emergency.

For MidAmerican the number is 800-799-4443.

For Alliant Energy the number is 877-740-5050

Listen to radio reports. If the outage is widespread, use your radio to  monitor the outage restoration process.

Unplug computers, TVs, VCRs, and other sensitive appliances to avoid possible damage when electricity comes back on. When power resumes, reset clocks and check automatic alarms and timers. Plug in only essential items. Wait 10 minutes before connecting the rest to let the electrical system stabilize.

Turn off all but one of the lights that were on, so you will notice when electricity is restored.

Use a flashlight when it gets dark. Avoid candles because of the fire risk.

Turn off heat-producing appliances like electric irons and heaters to  prevent a fire in case no one is home when power is restored.

If you use a standby generator, make sure it has a  transfer switch. This switch will isolate your home circuits from power lines. A generator that does not have a transfer switch can back feed electricity into main power lines, causing a shock hazard for you and utility crews.

Be alert for carbon monoxide (CO) buildup from portable generators. Never run a portable generator inside or near a building.

Traffic lights and railroad crossings may not work. If you are in a car remind the driver to stop, look and listen for cross traffic.

Scott Drzycimski Team Lead - Strategic Communications Interstate Power and Light Co., an Alliant Energy Company

TOPIC: PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTATS

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Do you remember those infomercials for some Ronco product, where they said, “Just set it…and forget it?  That’s exactly what you do with your programmable thermostat.  A lot of us have a set schedule – Church Sunday morning, kids to school, out the door for errands Monday through Friday, soccer games all day Saturday – so basically, what you do is to program the thermostat to match your life. You pick a comfortable temperature – and set the thermostat to be at that temperature when you’re normally at home and, when you’re not, you let it get colder during the winter and warmer during the summer.  That way, you’re not using the furnace to heat (or AC to cool) an empty house. Best of all, you don’t have to remember to turn the thermostat up or down when you leave the house and you can set it so you never notice that it got cold (or warm in summer) in your house while you were gone.

Don’t forget to check rebates and incentives offered by your energy provider.  For example Alliant Energy will reward your purchase with a $25 incentive check.  And, your expected savings, if installed and programmed properly, will pay you back for your purchase in a year or so.

WEB LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Alliant Energy PowerHouse TV’s information about programmable thermostats.

Alliant Energy’s Energy Efficiency Rewards/Rebates.

Click Here to View the Guitar on Ebay

“In response to the tragic events in Haiti, I am auctioning off a guitar from my personal collection. ALL PROCEEDS will be donated to the Haiti relief effort through Compassion International. To find out more about Compassion’s efforts in Haiti, go to http://www.compassion.com/. This is an incredible opportunity to own a beautiful guitar, but more importantly, to give to the people in Haiti who are so desperately in need.

This hand-made Everett Laurel Guitar is THE very first production guitar (Number 00-01) in the Laurel Series and was given to me as a personal gift from the builder himself, Kent Everett (Atlanta, GA). I honestly can’t place a value on this guitar since it is again, Number 00-01 in a very limited production (only 128 ever made) and has been in my personal guitar collection as one of my primary “songwriting guitars” for 10 years. I do know that this Laurel First Edition is solid Sitka topped with Rosewood back and sides, highly flamed Maple bindings, Maple rosette, and Rosewood fingerboard and bridge. This guitar has been the source of quite a few of my songs (“Nothing Without You,” “Try,” and “Borrow Mine”), spent one year on tour with me, and is in absolutely amazing condition. This guitar is priceless as far as I’m concerned. I have autographed the custom interior label next to the production number and Kent Everett’s custom wax seal that ensures authenticity. The only way I would even DREAM of letting this guitar go is for a cause as important as serving the people of Haiti and meeting them in their time of crisis.”

Also included:

- TKL hard case for the guitar

- 4 packs of Elixir Medium Guage Nanoweb guitar strings

- The ENTIRE Bebo Norman discography, autographed. Includes The Fabric of Verse (1996, Out of Print), Ten Thousand Days (1999), Big Blue Sky (2000), Myself When I Am Real (2002), Try (2004), Between the Dreaming and the Coming True (2006), Christmas from the Realms of Glory (2007), and Bebo Norman (2008).

Insulation, programmable thermostats, weather stripping, compact fluorescent bulbs, there are just so many ways to become more energy efficient…but what’s the best thing to do – what will make the biggest impact.

Scott Drizymski from Alliant Energy suggest starting out with an assessment of your specific situation.  Many utilities – including Alliant Energy– have programs where, if a home qualifies, we’ll send a certified energy expert out for an inspection. The auditor will identify ways for you to reduce your energy usage and give you estimates on how much the upgrades will cost. The auditor may even install some smaller energy-saving measures on the spot at no cost.

The best part is there’s no cost to customers of Alliant Energy and/or MidAmerican Energy for this service…those served by other utilities should check with their supplier for similar programs that may be available.

For more energy saving information or to schedule your home audit visit the following helpful links from Alliant Energy:

My Home Comfort Checkup: www.alliantenergy.com/mhcc.

Alliant Energy’s Energy Efficiency Rewards/Rebates: www.alliantenergy.com/rewards.

Brent and Julia Make Their Case

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Congratulations to Living Hope Wesleyan Church in Cedar Rapids.  Brent and Julia had the joy of breaking the news to Pastor Brenda on the morning show.

WWCYOUTH

ABOUT SORINA DRAGOI RIDDLE:

When Sorina Dragoi received a gift-filled shoe box at a church in Romania, she knew nothing about Operation Christmas Child. All that mattered was that someone in a faraway place had lovingly packed a box for her.

“My box contained a lot of neat things that we didn’t have access to where we lived,” says Sorina, who received the gift box when she was 12 years old. “I remember getting a knitted white hat and a long white scarf. I still have them.”

The event remains a fond Christmas memory for Sorina. She remembers walking home in the snow with her younger brother, both of them holding tightly to their shoe boxes. They could hardly wait to show these treasures to their parents. It would be the last Christmas they would celebrate with their seriously ill father.

After receiving the boxes, Sorina began attending the little church with her mother and brother on a regular basis. All three of them became Christians, and as a teenager, Sorina became involved in the church’s ministry to Romanian orphans.

About 10 years later, Sorina got the chance to participate in a shoe box distribution in Romania. She was teaching English at a Christian school, where 100 kids from underprivileged families received boxes sent by the Samaritan’s Purse office in the United Kingdom.

But the giving did not stop there. “After the boxes were handed out to all of the children, there were some leftover,” Sorina says. “So our kids went to a nearby village and handed out the rest of the boxes to other poor children. It was great to see them be both givers and receivers.”

Sorina came to the U.S. to get her Masters Degree in English at the University of Tennessee. She now resides in Richfield, NC with her husband Lance and works at Pfeiffer University. She has a passion to share about her experience with Operation Christmas Child in local churches and leads the project at her church.

Our thanks to Sorina Riddle for joining us on the Life 101.9 Morning Show!

Operation Christmas Child

For more information and how you can share the Love of Jesus with an impoverished child click here!

If you would like to relisten to today’s conversation or share it with a friend, feel to share this page with a friend!

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If you have questions for Kathy, she can be reached at 319-833-6100.

More information is also available through the following organizations:

The Susan G. Komen for the Cure

The American Cancer Society

This league is being formed to give Waterloo youth an opportunity to participate in a positive activity during the evening hours from 7-9 pm on Mon, Tues and Thurs. Urban Dreams is seeking for volunteers to assist with this league in the role of coaching staff, referees, and to assist with security in /outside of the building.

Those interested in volunteering or requesting more information can contact Margo Collins-Draine via email at mmdraine@hotmail.com or by phone at (319) 236-1955.

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