Fall cleanup continues with leaf pickup to begin next week

Well, it’s that time of year again. By that I mean youth basketball. This last weekend and for the next four Saturdays both grandsons will have two basketball games per day – in  different towns. I guess Cathy and I are going to keep pretty busy and putting plenty of miles on the car just trying to keep up.

 It is amazing what a difference a year makes in watching the boys play. Last year the younger one was totally disinterested in the ball when he was out on the court. He tended to be the last one down court and pretty much in his own world. Sometimes he would be skipping or twirling down the court. When he was asked why he wanted to be on the team the answer was for the treats afterward.

 This year, he is the first one downcourt and is wanting the ball. He even scored a couple of buckets. It’s amazing the difference a year can make, like a switch has been thrown. 

 The older one has shown a lot of improvement also. At one point, he made a three pointer. He seemed as shocked as the rest of us! 

 Earlier in the year, the boys had each expressed that they were not interested in going out for basketball. Their dear old grandpa (me) was very disappointed that he would not be passing on the ancient playing skills that had developed in younger years. Now it looks like I have some work to do. 

 Well, enough about grandkids and basketball and on to City business. 

 Ron McDaniel, the street department manager, told me that the alley cleanup will be completed this week with leaf pickup beginning next week. That being said, we would like to remind everyone of a few things to keep in mind. The first is that the vacuum used to pick up the leaves is very expensive, very fragile in ways, and is meant to pick up only leaves. Anything else heavier or harder, even plants, can damage the impeller blade. So, please be sure you rake up leaves only and not rocks, twigs, plants, etc. into your leaf piles. 

 The second item is to rake the leaves into the street next to the curb. If you do not have a curb, be sure the leaves are in the street. As per the above statement, gravel is harmful.

 The third thing is when parking vehicles, please allow at least six feet of space between your vehicle and yours or your neighbor’s leaf pile. This will allow the street crew the room to get the vacuum hose to the leaves. 

 This next one would seem to be unnecessary to say, but it happens all the time. Please do not park on top of leaf piles. It is impossible to get the leaves with a car on top. (Car owners tend to be displeased when they find the leaf crew has tipped their car over to get to the pile.) Also, after the car has been moved the tire smashing makes it difficult to vacuum the crushed leaves, like dirt ground into a carpet. So please, do not drive through or park on the leaf piles.

 Well, that’s it for leaf pickup instructions. Happy raking!

 The City Clerk, Natasha McDaniel, who is also the Chamber of Commerce president, would like me to remind you that Small Business Shopping Day is the Saturday after Thanksgiving, Nov. 30. This is a national program to encourage people to support their local small businesses. So, please turn out and let your local merchants know you support and appreciate them. What kind of town would Weiser be without our local merchants?

 In addition, Natasha would like to let everyone know that the Christmas Parade and fireworks will be on Friday, Dec. 5. This is always a great community event. Hope to see you there!

 Well, that’s it for this week. Even though Cathy and I will be running our legs off this month, Weiser is a really great place to live, work, and play!