Give Your House the Once-Over

Now that the weather is starting to warm up, it’s a great time to inspect the outside of one of your biggest investments you’ll ever make…your home.  Taking a few minutes to give your house the once-over can result in big savings down the road.

1. Look for water leaks, especially in the awnings, overhangs and any exposed siding.  These are typical places that water and/or snow may collect during the winter months, causing damage to the building materials beneath them.

2. Check windows and doors for drafts, including the window sills and doorsteps.  By caulking seams, reglazing or replacing windows and replacing any worn weatherstripping, you keep the air conditioning inside, which can save money by keeping the electric bill down.

3. Don’t let Santa be the only one to visit your roof.  Check on the flashing around the chimney and any vents.  Look for cracks or worn roofing materials that may create a water hazard in your home later.  And, while you’re up there, clean out those gutters and downspouts of any debris that may have piled up over the winter.

4. Watch where you walk.  Are there any safety concerns with the stairs, sidewalks or railings?  Is the front door hard to open or lock?  You may need to simply oil the hinges or you might need to change the locks out completely.  Make sure the doorbell works and check the gates and fence to see if any repairs are necessary.

5. Look at the house from a visitor’s point of view.  Does it have that “not so fresh feeling” to it?  A fresh coat of paint not only helps keep up your home’s appearance, but it protects the wood from the elements, preventing bigger repair bills in the future.

6. Make sure the garage door opens and closes with ease, the mailbox is securely fastened to its post and the numbers are clear and easy to read from the street.

7.  Lastly, go over an evacuation plan with your family.  If there is an emergency, such as a fire, flood, tornado or other disaster, it is always good to have an evacuation plan in effect and planned out so that you and your family know what to do.

Taking the time to inspect your home and repair what needs to be done will give you and your family a tremendous peace of mind as well as saving you money in the long run.

The Old West – Jackson Style

It will be a busy weekend here in the Jackson Hole community as we celebrate “The Last of the Old West” also known as “Old West Days” (May 23rd – 26^th).  Visitors from all over the nation will be arriving to share with the Jackson Hole community in the 27^th Annual Old West Days Celebration. The event honors our rich history and the pioneers who settled the area.

 

The Old West Days features rodeo events, theatrical performances, live music and an old west shootout. Of course, there will be great food to sample and arts and crafts will be on display as well. I will highlight a few of the events for you below.  There are too just to many to mention them all. The old west shoot-out is reenacted several times during the celebration and always draws a large crowd.

 

The Mountain Man Rendezvous will kick off the celebration on Friday when The Mountain Man Rendezvous and Trader’s row join the Antler Rendezvous at the Teton County Fair Grounds. The Mountain Man Rendezvous is a celebration of the history of the pre-1840 era. There will be a Bow & Arrow Competition, a Hawk & Knife Competition, and an Atlatal Competition (non-firearms, such as spears and darts) throughout the celebration.

 

The Kids Cowboy Connection will be held Friday at 5 p.m. in front of the Wort Hotel. Children are able to meet gunslingers and poets.  Other evening events include the (first) Jackson Hole Shootout (6 pm.), a Chuckwagon dinner at the Bar J and a Wine Fest sponsored by the Jackson Hole Rotary.

 

Saturday will kick off with a Street Breakfast in the Jackson Town Square. There will be various events through out the day until 10 p.m. Those not exhausted by that time will head over to the D.J. Saloon which will be featuring a movie.

 

Sunday events begin with Cowboy Church being held at the Jackson Town Square at 10 a.m. There will be Old Town Entertainment in the Town Square following church services that will include Mechanical Bull Riding, Yodeling, Clogging and much, much more. You can even ride on a real Stagecoach around Historic Downtown Jackson.

 

Monday we will start the day honoring those that gave the ultimate sacrifice to keep this country free. The American Legion will host the Memorial Service at the Jackson Town Square under the flag pole. After paying our respects to these great men and women, we will return to the celebration of the Old West and the many events that will be held throughout the day.

 

It is a fun week-end in Jackson Hole and we all enjoy celebrating and remembering our rich history and those who made Wyoming great.

Wapiti

Wapiti is the Cree Indian word for elk. This weekend (May 17^th& 18^th) in Jackson Hole, we will be celebrating Wapiti and the Wilderness during the Jackson Hole Elkfest.

 

Elkfest is a festival that has evolved from the world renown Jackson Hole Boy Scout Elk Antler Auction. What began as a simple fundraiser for the Jackson Hole Boy Scouts, in 1968, has become what is now known as Elkfest. Elkfest is a celebration of outdoor skills, hunting, nature and ecological awareness.

 

Each spring just before the elk begin their summer migration they shed their antlers. The Jackson Hole Boy Scouts harvest the shed antlers at the National Elk Refuge which is located just outside of the Town of Jackson. The elk antlers are then auctioned for sale in the Jackson Town Square. The antlers are used by the new owners for wall hangings, light fixtures, furniture, jewelry and whatever their imaginations can come up with.

 

In addition to the Boy Scout Antler Auction, vendors will sell their own antlers and antler art at the Antler Rendezvous which is held at the Teton County Fairgrounds on Sunday (May 18^th) and through the Old West Days next weekend (Monday, May 26^th)).

 

Elkfest begins the celebration of “Honoring the Legacy of the West” which has combined the separate events of Elkfest, Mountain Man Rendezvous and Old West Days into a 10 day event.

 

Elkfest: Events and Schedule

Auction information: BSA Auction

More about the Old West Days which will be held May 23 – 29 in next week’s blog.

Community Spring Cleanup Event

This is a reminder that our Jackson Hole Community Sping Cleanup Event is this Saturday, May 10. The event is sponsored by all three of Jackson Hole ’s Rotary Clubs.

Here is a great way to clean out your medicine cabinet and protect your environment at the same time. In the past, people were advised to flush unwanted medicinal items down the toilet. As we now know, this is a poor method of disposal since it contaminates the environment. So, let the Jackson Police Department safely dispose of these items for you by simply stopping by the Town Square . The Jackson Police Department will be collecting syringes and any medicinal products that are unused or out-of-date from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

If you have already completed your own spring cleaning (and disposing), then grab a pair of gloves and head on over to the Town Square (at 9am ) for a Community Cleanup assignment. Animal lovers can join the Bridger-Teton National Forest and PAWS, the Animal Adoption Center , for “pooper-scooper” detail in the Snow King Area and along Emily’s Pond as well as the Cache and Game Creeks. Following the cleanup there will be a barbeque lunch, activities and music form 11:30 – 2:00 which will be held at the Town Square for all participants.

If you need further information regarding medicinal disposal please contact the Jackson Police Department at 733-1430. Please leave all medications in their original containers.

You can refer to my previous blog, “The Snow is Melting”, for more information on the cleanup and disposal of hazardous items in the Jackson Hole community.