It’s good to be home. I am like so many, I love to travel but enjoy seeing home in the car window shield. My trip home was less eventful than the flight over which was okay with me. I did appreciate seeing all the Christmas lights across the valley as we flew into the airport Thursday night. Christmas is such a beautiful time of the year.
Christmas around the world can be much the same, the beauty and the awe it brings. Cambridge, UK celebrates with carols in the stores and in the marketplaces. They seem to be less afraid of offending than we have become.
It was interesting during one of my ventures out to see a calm protest by one of the post offices in town. The UK has decided to franchise some of their offices into large businesses. Throughout the country, small and large offices are being closed to save money for the Royal Mail. They estimate that they can save a great deal of money by closing the offices and letting private business house the service. It also lays off a large number of employees, however. The policy is affecting many of the smaller neighborhoods and communities. Mail delivery and cost is a problem in many places as people send more through electronic means.
I think they have a good idea with their policy regarding packages. The Royal Mail decided back in 2012 to allow larger postal items to be left with neighbors rather than returning them to a Royal Mail office to await collection. This keeps packages safer particularly during busy times of the year like Christmas. People who do not want to have their parcels left with a neighbor or do not want to hold parcels for their neighbors can opt out by placing a sticker by their mailbox. The parcels will then be returned to the postal service for pick up.
Many of the delivery services have the same policy. It certainly cuts down on the number of boxes left at the door for others to steal. I know I collected several while I was there and then delivered them to the neighbors. It was a great way to meet the neighbors.
Now for local news. Winterizing continues for the departments. WWTP crews will continue working on the storm drain system beginning with State and Park Streets and branching out to the neighborhood streets. Hopefully, the weather will allow us to get the drains cleared and more leaves picked up before we get the white stuff that fell east of us this past weekend.
The Water Department received the bacteria test results back on the W. 9th Street project. The tests have to be given a clear ‘bill of health’ so to speak before the service lines to the residences can be hooked to the new line. We received the go ahead, so those lines will be hooked up this week. The final work will occur in the spring when the hydrants will be hooked to the new line and the old line taken totally out of service.
The Street Department will begin trimming branches from trees along the streets and alleys to eliminate any obstructions to equipment during the winter. Fliers are being placed in the areas where they will be working over the next several weeks. We appreciate your cooperation and patience through the process.
Holiday activities are still in full swing. This week the Weiser Youth Symphony will be having their Christmas Concert on Friday, December 7th beginning at 7:30 at the Snake River Heritage Center. The cost is $5 a person or $20 per family. This has become a fun Christmas tradition.
The Weiser Public Library will have their Open House on Monday, December 10 from 4-6 pm. They will be handing out free books and serving refreshments with entertainment by Denise Rasmussen’s musicians playing Christmas music.
Don’t miss the many Christmas activities in our community during the Christmas season.
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