Little Norway II: Update 2-3-2022

Little Norway II: Update 2-3-2022

Little Norway II was recently able to be open due to the ice being prepped by volunteers and with the help of volunteers to staff the Little Norway building where we have a nice fire, pass out skates to borrow, and sell some light concessions.

The rink may be open during the weekdays as well as the weekend but is all contingent on the availability of volunteers being able to watch over the building.

How can you tell if the rink is open?  There is a flag that will be flying on the Little Norway II sign just by the building.  If the flag is out, the rink is open.  If the flag is NOT out, then you can skate at your own risk with your own equipment.  The rink/building is operated by the Parks and Recreation Board and many volunteers in the community.  We extend our thanks to all of those who give of their time to help make this free entertainment possible.  Please be kind to the volunteers and remember if they say the rink is closing, please thank them for their time and leave the rink.

There may be some work done to freshen the ice up over the next couple of days with temps above freezing Tuesday through Thursday.  If the rink holds up through those few weekdays, then it should be ready to use again over the weekend (February 4th – 6th).

Be grateful for the volunteers, the access to such a cool place to go, and don’t bang on the ice with sticks and skates.  Breaking holes in the ice where you see air bubbles causes tripping hazards. Also, if the ice is not frozen in spots, please stay off of it. When it is skated on in this condition it is very difficult to repair and refreeze.

If you would like to volunteer at Little Norway II please contact Borough Manager Lauren Martz at lmartz@selinsgrove.org or 570-374-2311 ext. 113.

 

Little Norway II: 2022 Season

Little Norway is a labor of love. The temperatures need to be bitter cold before the fill happens.  This year it was able to be filled. – check ?

Once the area is flooded, frigid cold for more than just a few days is needed to freeze it completely through.  If used prematurely, the ice gets pitted, rigid, essentially unable to be skated on in the effected areas.  Unfortunately, after the fill this season, the ice was used just a day or two after prior to completely freezing.  This has caused a delay in use.  Please do not use the ice until further notice.  Volunteers are trying to get it fixed so it can be used.

Unfortunately, with the expected above freezing temperatures next week, there may be further delays.

Thank you to the kind volunteers for the many hours spent prepping for the 2022 season.

Landlords/Renters: Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)

Check out the website below to see if the Union-Snyder County Action Agency (USCAA) may be able to help you with financial help toward rent and utilities due to the impact of COVID-19.

https://www.union-snydercaa.org/erap

Applications can be completed at the state’s benefit website compass.state.pa.us or by printing the application to turn in at the USCAA building (with an appointment – call to schedule).

570-374-0181 ext. 604

If you plan to visit their office, it is best to call and schedule an appointment.

 

DEP Focus on Energy eNewsletter

FOCUS ON ENERGY eNewsletter
December 2021

Happy Holidays!  Enjoy a safe and happy New Year.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Funding is still available for the following DEP programs:

ARTICLES

PA Conservative Energy Forum Supports Solar Energy Development As Economic Driver And Benefit To Landowners

Millions Of Gallons Of Conventional Oil & Gas Wastewater Spread Illegally On Dirt Roads, Companies Fail To Comply With DEP Waste Regulations

The cost of this year’s 10 worst climate disasters: $170 billion

https://www.post-gazette.com/business/money/2021/12/28/climate-disaster-2021-cost-170-billion-dollars-10-worst-disasters/stories/202112280023

Sunbury Daily Item: Are we ready for wind? (LTE)

https://www.dailyitem.com/opinion/are-we-ready-for-wind/article_6bc8df32-6435-11ec-a447-3ba311ce38ba.html

What’s behind the increases in your utility bills? Everything but fuel cost

https://www.post-gazette.com/business/powersource/2021/12/20/What-s-behind-the-increases-in-your-utility-bills-Everything-but-fuel-cost/stories/202112190047

Lawmakers consider bill to account for cleanup when developing renewable energy projects

https://stateimpact.npr.org/pennsylvania/2021/12/23/lawmakers-consider-bill-to-account-for-cleanup-when-developing-renewable-energy-projects/

Bloomsburg Press Enterprise: Two municipalities approve regulation of solar energy

https://www.pressenterpriseonline.com/daily/122221/page/1/story/two-municipalities-approve-regulation-of-solar-energy

 

2021 Initiatives By The Biden Administration, Congress Make Historic Investments In Cleaning Up PA’s Environment; How To Invest $11 Billion Remains Up In The Air  [PaEN]

http://paenvironmentdaily.blogspot.com/2021/12/in-2021-action-by-biden-administration.html

 

TOOLS & RESOURCES

Federal Tax Credits for Consumer Energy Efficiency | ENERGY STAR

WEBINARS, EVENTS & TRAINING 

U.S. DOE Better Buildings Webinar Series

To browse all upcoming webinars, see the calendar view. To explore past webinars, click here.

  • 1/11/2022, GLASS HALF-FULL: HOW WATER REDUCTION SUPPORTS RESILIENCY, COST SAVINGS, AND OCCUPANT HEALTH at 11am
  • 2/1/2022, PV VALUATION: HOW SOLAR PV ADDS VALUE TO YOUR ASSETS at 11am
  • 2/15/2022, SHELTER FROM THE STORM: POWERING COMMUNITY RESILIENCE HUBS at 11am
  • 3/1/2022, WORK SMARTER, NOT HARDER: CREATIVE PROJECT AND PROCESS IMPLEMENTATION at 11am
  • 3/15/2022, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL SOLAR: STATE OF THE MARKET AND SOLAR LEASE BEST PRACTICES at 11am
  • 4/15/2022, LOW CARBON TECHNOLOGIES: STRATEGIES FOR DIFFERENT BUILDING TYPES at 11am

Register for upcoming events: https://betterbuildingssolutioncenter.energy.gov/better-buildings-webinar-series

 

ENERGY STAR webinars, January 2022 (free but registration required)

◦ January 5, 2022, 12:00pm, Portfolio Manager 101

◦ January 6, 2022, 1:00pm, Updated 1-100 ENERGY STAR Score for Medical Office Buildings

◦ January 10, 2022, 1:00pm, Building Performance Standards and Ways to Meet Them

◦ January 11, 2022, 12:00pm, Portfolio Manager 201

◦ January 18, 2022, 1:00pm, Streamline Portfolio Manager Data Entry with Web Services

◦ January 18, 2022, 1:30pm, Energy Benchmarking as a Service with ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager

◦ January 19, 2022, 12:00pm, Portfolio Manager 301

Register, go to:  https://esbuildings.webex.com/mw3300/mywebex/default.do?siteurl=esbuildings&service=6

 

Test Your Energy Awareness!
Answer to last month’s question:

How much can you save using LED lights on your Christmas tree vs. traditional incandescent lights?

  1. 20-30%
  2. 50-60%
  3. 80-90%

80-90% is correct

This Month’s Question:
True or False.

Most electric vehicle (EV) charging takes place along a highway.

(answer to this month’s question will appear in next month’s eNewsletter)

Disclaimer: DEP is listing these articles and websites for your information only and is not endorsing any commercial product, service, enterprise, or opinion included in this email.

I am the DEP Northcentral region energy program specialist with DEP’s Energy Programs Office.  We are the Commonwealth’s state energy office, and receive annual funding from the Federal Department of Energy’s State Energy Program for a variety of initiatives.  My intention in providing these eNewsletters is to share information on topics including energy efficiency, energy management, alternative & renewable energy, and related topics that may be of interest and help in management of your facility.  I will also share information on energy-related studies and policies, and funding announcements.

Please feel free to reply and let me know if you have suggestions, questions or items you want to have listed in next month’s newsletter.  Also let me know if you would prefer not to receive these e-mail messages. Thank you.

 

Michelle Ferguson | Energy Program Specialist
Department of Environmental Protection | Energy Programs Office
North Central Regional Office
208 West Third Street Suite 101 | Williamsport PA 17701
Phone: 570.327.3783
miferguson@pa.gov

 

Landlords and Tenants: Penn State Initiative for Resilient Communities (virtual discussion Thursday, December 16th 11:30AM-1:PM) Click the title to learn more…

The message below is from the Penn State Initiative for Resilient Communities…If you are a landlord or you a tenant and would like to participate, please contact Courtney Cooper as directed below.

Flooding in Pennsylvania has been and continues to be a big issue, as seen by recent storms and flooding. Will you share your thoughts about flooding impacts and community resilience in the Selinsgrove area?

The Penn State Initiative for Resilient Communities is working to understand flooding impacts in this region, particularly around the beautiful Selinsgrove area. We’re hosting a series of community discussions on the topic. We will share insights from the discussions with Borough officials and others interested in community resilience.

We will host a virtual discussion over Zoom this Thursday, December 16 from 11:30 am-1:00 pm with people who rent or own rental properties. Please kindly email, Courtney Cooper (cfc5786@psu.edu) for information about how to join the discussion.

Initial questions for the discussion include the following:

Have you experienced flooding impacts and if so, how?

What have you done to prepare for future flooding? What more would you like to be able to do?

Do you have any concerns or ideas about flooding that you would like to share?

 

THE 2022 LITTLE NORWAY SEASON NEEDS YOUR HELP

One of the great treasurers of Selinsgrove Borough is Little Norway II outdoor ice skating rink. We all know the season is very much dependent on freezing cold weather to keep the ice intact. We hope to have the chance to enjoy this outdoor treasure in the 2021-2022 winter season.
The other thing the skating season is dependent on is VOLUNTEERS! If you are interested in volunteering in the cozy skate shack to put wood on the fire, sell the snacks/drinks, & assist with cleaning snow off the ice (as needed), please contact the Borough office at 570-374-2311 or via email at borough@selinsgrove.org.
ICE SKATES ARE AVAILABLE IN MANY SIZES TO BORROW.   MONETARY DONATIONS TO THE PARKS AND RECREATION ARE ALWAYS WELCOME IN ORDER TO REPLACE THE WELL WORN PAIRS AS WELL AS ADD MORE SIZES.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED – Please watch the WNEP video to help spread the word.

Grease and Flushable Wipes: Unforeseen Clogs, Buildup/Back-Ups, and Major Expense

Grease dumped down drain and “flushable” wipes flushed down the drain can be an unforeseen major expense when it comes to your pipes or your neighbor down the street.  Please be responsible and dispose of grease and wipes in the trash.

FOOD PREPARATION FACILITIES: This is the time of year to get your grease logs turned in to the Borough Office.  All logs should be turned in by December 17, 2021.  If you need a copy of the Grease Log, please stay on our website and go to “Codes”, “Applications & Forms” to print one. 

TRICK OR TREAT

Selinsgrove Borough will hold Trick or Treat on Sunday, October 31, 2021 from 6:00PM – 8:00PM.  If you choose to participate, please be sure to turn on a light to let the visiting Trick or Treater’s know you are welcoming them.

GELNETT TRUST GRANT REQUESTS (ALL APPLICANTS): MEETING OCT. 4TH AT 3:00PM

GELNETT TRUST GRANT REQUESTS—ALL APPLICANTS

There will be a mandatory meeting concerning applications made to the Gelnett Trust by all applicants.  The meeting will tentatively be held October 4th at 3:00PM in the Borough Council Chambers at the Borough Building located at 1 N. High Street, Selinsgrove.  Please be sure to check the Borough website calendar for any updates in regards to date or time.  www.selinsgrove.org (under “Information”)

There will be a welcome with introductions, a brief history of the Gelnett Trust, an overview of the application process, and requirements for supporting documentation.