OCR Text |
Show I I if I i i i s, o Submit a Guest Editorial or Opinion at our office, located at 538 South State in Orem. Deadlines are Monday noon. All submissions are subject to editing for length, and the Orem-Geneva Times reserves the right to publish or not to publish a submission. Commentary Wednesday, March 7th, 2001 Orem's updated webpage is a source of infer romi 11 i motion and o Anyone with reliable Internet access is just a few quick mouse clicks away from a great deal of information about Orem. Chad Hendry, the neighborhood organization specialist for Orem City, gave a presentation to the Orem City Council February 27 on the city's recently re-cently reformatted and updated webpage, and it was apparent that the Internet site not only has important current information, but also has the potential for significant future applications. Hendry said the city decided to remodel its webpage about a year ago, and staff members were organized into a committee headed by library director di-rector Louise Wallace to handle the task. One goal was to create a standard appearance that would represent the City of Orem with a common theme and unifying graphics. Information that had been "buried too deep" or was not "substantive enough" was made more accessible and complete. On the left of the homepage are button bars with the headings: Public Information, City Services, Community Action, Arts & Education, Parks & Recreation, Rec-reation, and E-services. The public information section highlights agendas agen-das and meetings, a calendar, the city budget, the city code, election information, notices, and reports and documents. "City services" features information on boards and commissions, the mayor and council, Orem's government, govern-ment, other government links, and the Development Services, Library, Public Safety, Public Works, and Recreation Departments. Under the community action umbrella is information informa-tion on programs such as Building Neighborhoods Together, emergency management, Neighborhood Preservation, Neighborhoods in Action, the Blitz, and the Orem Youth Council. There are also details about volunteerism in the city. The arts and education section lists information about the library, the SummerFest celebration, the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival, schools in Orem, and community events. The parks and recreation section gives data on city parks and reservations for them, the Fitness Center, recreation programs, and the Senior Friendship Friend-ship Center. The e-services section is listed as being "under construction. Hendry said this section will allow for future uses. At some point, residents may be able to pay their utility bills or sign a child up for a recreation recre-ation program online. Mayor Jerry Washburn has mentioned his vision for the website in relation to the Neighborhoods in Action program, under which the city is divided into community committees roughly according to elementary elemen-tary school boundary lines. The mayor looks to the day when a city resident can click to the webpage, find their own neighborhood community, and get instant in-stant information on volunteer positions available, meetings scheduled, and other issues important to that particular area of town. Councilman Joseph Andersen asked Hendry if it would be possible for a city commission, such as the Historic Preservation Commission, to put specific information on the webpage. Hendry said links can be added for that purpose. Tabs at the top of the page provide quick access to a general page of information about Orem; a news and events calendar (eventually for each city department); pictures, e-mail, and responsibilities of the mayor and councilmembers; city jobs available avail-able (with online applications included); and updated up-dated text on current projects such as the Lakeside Sports Park. To the right is a quick reference desk, which enables users to, for instance, send e-mail directly to the staff member in charge of the street lighting program. There is a search feature and a directory of commonly requested telephone numbers. num-bers. Orem is to be complimented for developing a website with so many practical features, and for having the vision to enhance citizens' convenience with possible future applications as well. rm 1 If you give a kid a cookie, he'll want a Lego Editor's note: Connie Sokol of the Teleios Group, a business designed de-signed io iep educate, empower and encourage women, will be finning periodic columns in the Times designed to help bring con cepts helpful to women to light. For a free in formation packet on the Teleios Group call L'l) L'.rjt). BY CONNIE SOKOL Wlule I was rending Parenting with Loir and Logic, my seven-year-old poured over his Lego magazine. "Hey," he shouted, "this Ix'go is only SO dollars." Really? "Only HO dollars," I repeated. Understanding but undeterred, minutes later he shouted "Hey' This one is only 10 dollars and that's chicaner". Under standing but undeterred, I followed Love and Logic advice: validate Ins vision Wow, I said, that is a neat battering ram. I smiled. I didn't squelch bis dream with something like "Are you kidding mister? When 1 was your age I got a hand-me down Barbie w ith one go-go boot and no arms so don't come cry in' to me with your Lego troubles." That said, 1 went for the Love and Logic kill. "Ben," I smiled, "how do you want to earn that Lego'.'" He stared as if I were speaking speak-ing Swabili Translating, I enlightened him on a few economic factors; fac-tors; a day job. three months of piano lessons. In reply, he pulled out a cookie recipe, two eggs, and expensive vanilla. With the self-made cookies and a neighbor partner he went door-to-door while I walked inconspicuously behind. After 45 minutes they were sold out with -i dollars in change. He and his friend subtracted one dollar for ingredient,.-, and, through serious negotiations, split the remainder. I'at generations feared illnesses such as chicken pox and influenza influ-enza because it caused physical death. In our current gimme now generation not parents of course children suffer an ethereal illness, namely, irresponsibility, which brings motivational death. I line and Kay state "to help children gain responsibility, we must "Her that child opportunities to be responsible." Unwittingly, we as loving parents w ho cxjerienced sacrifice, now sacrifice not the money but the opportunity growth gained from desperately wanting and determinedly doing. I bis is not child labor or throwing kids in a pool and yelling w mi. To wit, we equally matched Ben's earnings and accompanied hmi on the next cookie outing five of us on the four-wheeler, inconspicuously Xo matter the form, a parent's contribution says I believe you will succeed. (living back the responsibility takes follow-through and selectivity; selec-tivity; not every item is buy-it-yourself. You'll know a special item when it's all they talk about, think about, and whine about. They don't whine about bagels. Involve them by asking responsibility-giving questions: what can you makedosell to earn money'.' Talk it through, enthusiastically, and why not? This is your possible future retirement at stake. In a confusing move, Ben used his cookie money to buy our family fam-ily pizza. He said it made him happy. And that he wanted mom and dad to have more money to buy him a bike. Possible future retirement retire-ment )ou can e mail Connie ti lth your thoughts or questions at tclciasgroup("juno. com LIFEChange Tip: With your child, plan one chore in w hich he she will be more involved. liook Pick: Parenting with Love and Logic, Cline and Fay AAA Utah offers tips for travel Travel to foreign destinations can be exotic and fun if travelers do some advanced planning to avoid difficulties, says AAA Utah. "Because of differences in language, lan-guage, currency and culture, it's important to make reservations through an experienced travel agent," said Kolayne Fairclough, AAA Utah spokeswoman. "A reputable travel agent can tell you if you need inoculations, provide passport and visa forms, and even recommend what to pack." Once arrangements have been made, AAA Utah recommends these tips for hassle-free international interna-tional travel: Review your insurance policies poli-cies to determine coverage for trip cancellation or interruption, loss or theft, and accident or injury while traveling overseas. If appropriate, appro-priate, purchase additional coverage cover-age through your travel agent. Leave copies of your passport identification page, credit card account numbers, travelers check numbers, airline ticket numbers and trip it inerary with a friend or relative who is accessible by telephone. tele-phone. Travel with a copy of all the information, plus a set of spare passport photos. Purchase in International Driving Permit if you'll be driving driv-ing in a country where English is not the primary language spoken. Even if you won't be driving, an International Driving Permit is an excellent form of identification that translates your U.S. driver's license into 10 different languages. lan-guages. International Driving Permits cost $10 and are available at your local AAA office. Obtain travelers checks instead in-stead of carrying large amounts of cash. AAA members can obtain no-fee American Express Travelers Travel-ers Cheques and Cheques-for-Two at any of AAA's 1,000 travel offices in the U.S. and Canada. Put all necessary medications in their original containers and pack in your carry-on bag. Verify that your medications do not violate vio-late foreign drug laws. Ask your doctor if international certificates of vaccination are required at your destination. Purchase a basic foreign language lan-guage book and learn key words and phrases. Your efforts to speak the language will be looked upon favorably by local residents and lie ran-dkneua mm I Online Edition: www.oremtimes.com E-mail: oremtimesC" networld.com USPS 411-700 538 South State Street, Orem, Utah 84058 Telephone 225-1340 Fax 225-1341 The Orem-Geneva Times 1411-700) is published each Wednesday for $16.00 per year in area, $35.00 per year out of area, and $.50 cents per issue by the Orem-Geneva Times, 538 South State Street, Orem, Utah 84058 Periodical Postage paid at Orem, Utah 84059. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Orem-Geneva Times. PO. Box 65, Orem. UT 84059. News deadline, Monday, 12 noon, advertising Monday, 2 00 p m. The entire contents of this newspaper is Copyright 2000 The Orem-Geneva Times All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the editor or publisher. A"9ri s Publisher Brent Sumner Editor - Pat Knoell Member merchants. Ask you travel agent about U.S. customs regulations. Know ahead of time what items will not be allowed entry into the U.S. Reconfirm your flight with the airline 48 hours prior to departure. depar-ture. Arrive at the airport at least two hours prior to departure. International In-ternational travelers must check in at the ticket counter where photo identification will be required, re-quired, including a passport and' or visa depending on your destination. desti-nation. Be alert at all times. Keep your distance from luggage or packages left unattended at airports air-ports and other public places. Use an authorized money exchange ex-change outlet to purchase enough local currency to pay for arrival expenses, such as taxis and tips. Most airports have 24-hour currency cur-rency exchange windows. Use authorized airport and hotel taxis. Avoid those that pick up additional persons en route. Only travel in a taxi with a meter. Hotel check-in time is usually 3 p.m. After a long flight, you may want to reserve the room for the night before to make sure it is ready no matter what time you arrive. Alert the hotel to your arrival ar-rival time. Request a hotel room with an in-room safe. Unless you need them during the day, leave your passport, airline ticket and other valuables in the safe. There may be a small fee, but it is worth the cost. Before exchanging large sums of money at your destination, compare exchange rates and service ser-vice fees with the hotel cashier, bank and local foreign exchange office. Travel with a detailed map of the city and prominently mark your hotel, embassy and police station. Carry a piece of hotel stationary sta-tionary with you - it comes in handy w hen communicating with local taxi drivers. Wear a money belt or neck purse under your clothing. If a handbag is necessary, place the shoulder strap over your head and hold it in front. Be cautious of street vendors and attention-gathering distractions. distrac-tions. While your focus is diverted, di-verted, a second person may try to steal your belongings. If your passport is lost or stolen, sto-len, notify the local police immediately. imme-diately. Bring the police report, identification and spare passport photos to the nearest U.S. embassy em-bassy for replacement. If your credit cards or travelers checks are lost or stolen, contact the issuing is-suing company immediately. Pack an inexpensive duffel bag for your purchases and keep them all in one bag for ease in going through customs. Keep all receipts re-ceipts together. With the recent earthquake in Seattle, how prepared do you feel if a disaster were to occur? W W- r f- ii f A t i - -x , 3 FVv-'-fv v La j j ... vwS "I'm good to go. I have a stock- "Not prepared at all. Don't even "Not very good. How prepared pile of food and my kids know know where my flashlight is. Hope- can you be?" what to do." fully, Wal-Mart will still be open." - Carol Mitchell, Orem - Jamon Chiniqay, P. G. Andrea Smith, Orem ? ft .. :. :: - y r 1 1 Kip- 1 "Not very prepared because I "Not at all. Just haven't thought don't have anything your sup- of it." posed to have."" - Rebecca Johnson, Orem - Jocelyn Bacik, Lindon "Fairly p.epared." - Danelle Kattles, Orem |