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FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | FEBRUARY 2022 27 Every application that is approved by ARC requires the homeowner to notify ARC once the work is completed. This notice is done by completing a "Notice of Completion." This requirement is contained in the Architectural Guidelines and Standards 2. F. Recently ARC has found several approved applications for which no Notice of Application was submitted. We have also found several instances where the Notice of Completion was submitted but the project was not complete. Examples include: • Solar panel installations where the conduit, control boxes and/ or inverters mounted on the outside walls were not painted to match the surrounding walls. • Final inspection by the Beaumont building department had not been completed. • Work where electrical and other utility connections had not been correctly completed. In many instances, the homeowner was not aware that the work was not complete. In several instances, had the homeowner used the solar or other device, there is a strong probability that damage to persons and property would have occurred. ARC is encouraging homeowners to ensure that the project is complete before submitting a Notice of Completion. Follow through with your contractor, the city building department and any other regulatory agency involved in your project. This includes the electrical, gas, and water companies. Do not rely on the contractor's statement that everything is complete. It only takes a short time to view the work and to test that everything works. It is always a good idea to hold a small amount (typically 10 percent) of the cost of a project until you can confirm that all work has been done satisfactorily and complies with all laws and regulations including acceptance of Schedule C. Your contract should contain a clause allowing for the homeowner or customer to ensure the work was done correctly and functions as expected before final payment is made. Do not let a contractor pressure you to make final payment before all work is completed and you are confident that the work was done properly. ~ Steve Cooley, (801) 815-5302, cooleyaudit@gmail.com Architectural Review Committee THE PROBLEM WITH EMERGENCY FOOD I was researching emergency food storage when I found an article listing seven ways to make it safe and efficient. This article will briefly review all seven tips. VARIETY: Most people only stored the four recommended food items: wheat, milk, honey and salt. Many people are allergic to wheat and some get appetite fatigue from eating the same foods over and over. Variety is the key to a successful storage plan. The inclusion of some quality spices will allow you to be more creative with your grains and beans. The purchase of a food storage cookbook is highly recommended. EXTENDED STAPLES: It is important to include dehydrated and freeze-dried food as well as home or commercial canned goods. Include cooking oil, shortening, baking powder, baking soda, yeast, and powdered eggs. The New Cooking with Home Storage cookbook is a wealth of information about what to store and where to purchase it. VITAMINS: Vitamins are important, especially for kids. Kids do not store reserves of nutrients like adults and they need to be replaced. A good quality multiple vitamin and vitamin C are the most important. QUICK AND EASY AND PSYCHOLOGICAL FOOD: Quick foods help you when you are unable to prepare the basic food items. No- cook and freeze-dried foods require little preparation. The same is true of MREs (Meals Ready to Eat). Psychological foods or goodies can include Jello, pudding, candy, etc. In talking to folks who lived off of their storage for long periods of time, they said that these treats made the situation bearable. BALANCE: It is important not to spend your money on one item. Instead of buying large bulk bags, buy in smaller quantities and add some beans. Buying several different items at once balances your food storage. You are more likely to better survive on a month's supply of a variety of foods than a year's supply of two or three items. CONTAINERS: Always store your bulk food in food storage containers. Sacks of food can become susceptible to moisture, insects, and rodents. Make sure to line your plastic buckets with food-grade plastic liners. Never line them with trash bags. Trash bags contain insecticide. Do not stack your plastic containers too high as they may fall and break during an earthquake. USE YOUR STORAGE: Learn to use your stored food. Cook and prepare a few meals so it will be easier to use in an emergency. A cookbook will help you learn to cook the basics and it will also suggest other foods that will increase your options and enjoyment. ~ Paraphrased from the LDS Emergency Manual EPC meets on the third Tuesday of the month at 10 am in the RCN Conference Room. Our next meeting will be Feb. 15. ~ Mike Mendoza, srmendoza@verizon.net Emergency Preparedness Committee

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