Hello Folks,

• I hope you all have been relaxed and rejuvenated by the past weekend that offered sunny warmth and cloudy cool weather.  Have a great week.
• A couple perks for being a Municipal Power Community are friendly rates along with rebate programs.  See https://www.brightenergysolutions.com/municipalities-container/nd/valley-city-public-works/.
• Wednesday puts a wrap on this summer’s  “Music in the Park series.  Greg Hager, named 2018 Entertainer of the Year by the Pro Cowboy Artist Association will be featured.  Thank you to all the folks who make “Music in the Park “ happen and see you all next year.
• Last week I saw a survey indicating people in the 35-54 age bracket want to know more about their municipal power.  Is that true in Valley City?  If so, will you please e-mail me at: dcarlsrud@valleycity.us and share your interests?
• Speaking of information, are you aware Valley City has a state-of-the art reverse osmosis water treatment plant?  It is quite impressive and tours for your groups can be arranged.  Sherry and Wade will be happy to accommodate, (845-0652).
• Often when we talk of Missouri River Energy Services (MRES), the topic is generation of power.  Equally important however is the transmission of said power.  Driving through the country we see many power lines and substations which comprise the “highways” for transmitting power.  With greater power demands nowadays, transmission rights become more precious for ensuring reliable and cost effective power is delivered.
• Last Saturday, recently retired 30-year MRES CEO, Tom Heller, who is from Rock Lake, ND stopped in Valley City.  He was on his way from Rock Lake back to Sioux Falls.  Thank you for visiting Tom.
• “Hi” to all the folks who attended the BHS 50 + Class Reunion Saturday.
• Thanks to all who provide and proof material for this article.                     

• “A cowgirl is a woman with guts and a horse.”    ~ TECOVAS                         

                                                  Blessings, Pray, be Grateful and Respectful,

Dave

Dave Carlsrud

 NEWS & NOTES

8/7/2023

                Hi Everyone,

• Last Friday the Barnes County Museum was featured in “Only in Your State”.  The writer says, “This unique museum lets you see a whole new side of North Dakota” so search “Only in North Dakota” to see said feature.  Wes Anderson, his board and community volunteers do a great job of curating the museum.  “Though many people don’t bat an eye at county museums, this one is special!”  If you haven’t been there, it is worth the trip and if you have been there, it may be time to go again.  Enjoy!
• DO NOT feed deer or other animals in town as they become dependent on your “free food” and may die during winter as they don’t know how to forage efficiently.
• A “fun fact”, August 1st, for the first time, everyone on the garbage route had put containers correctly!  Thank you.
• We have been experiencing numerous electrical “blinks” and some outages this summer.  Squirrels are the biggest culprits as they are attracted by vibrations of the transformers, in turn causing shorts, blown fuses and “blinks”….. then are, well, you know.  Both our transformers are again operating and delivering the smooth power flows to which we are accustom and we are grateful.  ** By the way, our power was “on” .99999% of the time in July!!
• Our Police Department just received a new E-Bike specially designed for Police, 1st Responders & Military.  We are grateful to Missouri River Energy Service (MRES) for partnering in the bike purchase.  MRES, along with secured grants, activated the purchase with no cost to the city.  Thank you everyone.
• Perhaps you saw pictures posted by VCPS of our Public Works Department Employees painting safety lanes and pedestrian crossings around the schools in preparation for the beginning of school.  Thank you to all.
• Thanks to all who provide and proof material for this article.                     

• “Love makes the wildest spirit tame and the tamest spirit wild.”    ~ Alex Delp                         

                                                                                                                                                                                                  Blessings, Pray, be Grateful and Respectful,

Dave

Dave Carlsrud

Hello Folks,

• This Saturday, August 5, Valley City hosts its annual RiverFest which is the Sheyenne River Valley’s largest water festival.  The event will headquarter in Chautauqua Park where there will be, classes & games along with craft and food vendors.   Over 120 vessels are expected to float leisurely down the river which, thanks to the USACE, the river will be at optimum depth & flow.  There appears to be a little something for the whole family to enjoy.  For further information, see: www.vcparks.com.  Thanks to all who are facilitating the RiverFest Event.
• Please consider this; “Do one thing a day for local business.”
• Doctors recommend we exercise for good physical and mental health.  With our recent nice weather and fresh air, get out and do whatever exercise you can.  If you are physically challenged, I know some people who hopped on our Trolley and toured Valley City.  The said it was fun!
• Please be careful.  There is much construction around town so what use to be simple routes have become challenging mazes.  Please respect signs and barriers as they are for your protection.  The other day some of us observed a blue four-wheeler with what appeared to be an adult driver and a youth passenger go through the construction site by Leevers creating a cloud of dust & go partially airborne coming out of the site.  To the adult, “Shame on you”.
• Last week you probably received an e-mail from Joy at Public Works offering some convenient payment options for you.  The      e-mail is legitimate, so check with the office to see if they may be for you.
• With the extreme heat this summer, “peak demands” must be met to keep your air conditioners running.  MRES manages flexible power sources like hydro, coal & nuclear to meet peak demands when intermittent sources like wind & solar fall behind.
• Thanks to all who provide and proof material for this article.                     

• “Old Cowboy Logic, Wrinkles mean you laughed, Grey hair means you cared and Scars mean you lived.”    ~ Pinterest                        

                                                                                                                                                                       Blessings, Pray, be Grateful and Respectful,

Dave

Dave Carlsrud

The City of Valley City has an opening on the Planning & Zoning Commission for an extraterritorial seat. This position is a 5-year term.

If you would like to be considered for this position:

Please submit your name, address, and phone number, in writing, to the Valley City Auditor’s Office, 254 2nd Ave NE, Valley City. You may also email your information to jhintz@valleycity.us. All submissions must be submitted by Friday, August 4th, 2023.

Hello Everybody,

• There is much grief in our region following the horrific ambush in Fargo resulting in the death of Police Officer Jake Wallin.  Please pray for all who grieve and thank law enforcement folks, emergency responders and fire fighters for the great services they provide for each of us.  “Thank you all”.
• I erred in last week’s article and named the wrong band featured for Thursday night’s Summer Nights on Central.  The band that played was “2-Weeks Notice” and they did a really nice job entertaining a great crowd.  I am sorry for any inconveniences it may have caused.
• The West Nile Virus is spread by mosquitos and there have been cases confirmed in our region.  It can be some nasty stuff so please, be careful.  Use an insect repellant with deet, eliminate standing water near you and wear long sleeve shirts etc. to protect yourself.
• A couple of us took a leisurely drive around the northeast part of Barnes County last week looking at crops.  While some fields are a bit spotty and a little behind, many fields look uniform and very nice.  The crop colors were vivid, blacks, greens, some golden.  Corn, beans and grain were waving in the evening breeze and sun, they were beautiful.  There is hope.
• Last week I received and e-mail from the “Department of Motor Vehicles” notifying me of a traffic violation charge.  I couldn’t remember anything unusual in recent travel, of course I am “older”.   Then I had a “flicker of light in the attic, phishing”!  IT WAS A SCAM!  Please be aware as we “senior citizens” are targets.
• Cyber security is critical in our lives today.  Missouri River Energy Services (MRES) and our Barnes County partners oversee the cyber security protection for our city.
• Thanks to all who provide and proof material for this article.                    

• “A person only learns by two things, one is reading and the other is association with smarter people.”    ~ Will Rogers                        

                                                                                                                                                                       Blessings, Pray, be Grateful and Respectful,

Dave