Did you know that February 24th - 28th is National Pancake Week? Celebrate this week by eating all the pancakes you can. Butter things up by taking the family out or meeting a friend for breakfast this week or spice things up by having breakfast for dinner.



Try some different mixins such as chocolate chips, blueberries, bananas or oatmeal. Change things up by using a different topping other than syrup such as, peanut butter, powdered sugar, or strawberries and whip cream.



Get creative and send us your best pancake recipe!

The cost of water/wastewater has recently increased in the City of Bedford. To counteract that increase we encourage residents to follow some easy conservation tips:

• Immediately report any water leak in your apartment: Saves 20 gallons per day for every leak stopped.


• Run only full loads in the washing machine and dishwasher: Saves 300 to 800 gallons per month.


• Shorten your showers. Even a one or two minute reduction can save up to 700 gallons per month.


• Turn off the water while brushing your teeth. Saves three gallons each day.


• Turn off the water while shaving. Fill the bottom of the sink with a few inches of water to rinse your razor. Saves three gallons each day.


• If you wash dishes by hand--and that's the best way--don't leave the water running for rinsing. If you have two sinks, fill one with rinse water. If you only have one sink, use a spray device or short blasts instead of letting the water run. Saves 200 to 500 gallons a month.


• Keep a bottle of drinking water in the refrigerator. This beats the wasteful habit of running tap water to cool it for drinking. Saves 200 to 300 gallons a month.


• Don't defrost frozen foods with running water. Either plan ahead by placing frozen items in the refrigerator overnight or defrost them in the microwave. Saves 50 to 150 gallons a month.

If we each put a little effort forward we will all reap the benefits!

Saint Valentine's Day or Valentine's Day is a holiday on February 14th. It is the traditional day on which lovers express their love for each other; sending Valentine's cards, donating to charity or gifting candy. It is very common to present flowers on Valentine's Day.



The holiday is named after two men, both Christian martyrs among the numerous Early Christian martyrs named Valentine. The day became associated with romantic love in the circle of Geoffrey Chaucer in High Middle Ages, when the tradition of courtly love flourished.



The day is most closely associated with the mutual exchange of love notes in the form of "valentines." Modern Valentine symbols include the heart-shaped outline and the figure of the winged Cupid. Since the 19th Century, handwritten notes have largely given way to mass-produced greeting cards.



The mid-nineteenth century Valentine's Day trade was a harbinger of further commercialized holidays in the United States to follow. The U.S. Greeting Card Association estimates that approximately one billion valentines are sent each year worldwide, making the day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year behind Christmas. The association estimates that women purchase approximately 85 percent of all valentines.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valentine

Want a special way to celebrate Valentine's Day with your youngster? Join the City of Bedford for the 13th annual Father/Daughter and Mother/Son Valentine's Day Dance.



When: February 9, 2008 from 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm.

Where: Boys Ranch Activity Center

Cost: $20.00 per couple / $15.00 per person



Fee includes dance admission, refreshments, a flower and a picture to commemorate the special occasion. Tickets must be purchased in advance at the Boys Ranch Activity Center by February 6. Tickets may not be purchased at the door. For more Information, please call the Boys Ranch Activity Center at (817)952-2323.