Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutRap-A-Round Newsletter 04.23.1993VON RAP -A -ROUND Volume V, April 23, 1993 ANNIVERSARIES The City and its organization are people and these people have served the City well. We celebrate the following employment anniversaries which occur during the next two weeks: Eight Years ED BARRY Planning Services Welcome! Georgetown INS AND OUTS Six Years PETE OCHOA A new face is welcomed to the Public Utilities Pump Maintenance family of employees as Rodney Hrachovy joins the Water/Wastewater staff as Maintenance Worker I. KEN TAYLOR Pump Maintenance The City is lucky to have three new firefighters, Five Years Robert A. Munoz, Mark Shields and Robert SANDRA LEE Wiseman. Management Services Three Years LEON HENDERSON Conservation & Load Management NIARIANNE BANKS Legal Two Years MARK MILLER Street & Drainage One Year EDWARD FRYE Wastewater Treatment There are several new employees in the Parks and Recreation Division: Victor Garcia and J. I Uribe are part time Recreation Assistants; Leslie Morris and Robert Jones, seasonal parks workers; Mary Lee, Aquatic Supervisor; and Annalie Drush, Summer Camp Director. PAYROLL You have recently received an Annual Statement of Accumulated Deposits from the Personnel office. Now, as of 4-16-93, the interest earned in 1992 has been added to your year-to-date total. This figure is at the bottom of your payroll check stub. If you have any questions regarding this update, please contact Pattie Justice at extension 3680. NNTLLNESS COMMITTEE Take time to De -Stress Your Life The demands and expectations that others place on us, or we place on ourselves, can add stress to our day. It can manifest itself in many ways: Physically causing high blood pressure, headaches, digestive disturbances... even ulcers. Emotionally, disrupting the harmony of our personal relationships. And stress may also be an underlying cause of depression and other mental illness. Because we all experience stress at some time, we must find ways to cope with it. First, though, it's important to note that stress is a result of two sets of factors: the external events of our lives and our internal reactions to them. While we don't always control the former, we can learn to exercise some control over the ways we respond. By doing so, we can de -stress our lives. Here are five ways to cope: 1. Get plenty of rest. Try to maintain a consistent sleep schedule. Being overly tired imposes stress on the body and increase the likelihood of reacting to events in a stressful manner. Poor sleep habits also increase susceptibility to illness, another cause of physical stress. 2. Breath deeply. When you find yourself feeling overwhelmed by what you have to do, or disturbed by the actions of another, stop and take five deep breaths, exhaling slowly each time. Concentrate only on your breathing. This may calm you down. 3. Maintain a "present" awareness. Much of the time, our minds are busy rehashing what happened in the past or worrying about what may occur in the future: both kinds of concerns increase feelings of stress. If you feel your stress level starting to rise at the office, for example, get up and take a walk... to another area of the building, perhaps, or even outside. A change of scenery, fresh air, and a different focus may provide relief. 4. Exercise. Research has proven that exercise is a great stress -reducer. Vigorous exercise can be an effective way to shift your attention. As you work out, your mind focuses more on your body and less on the stresses that bother you. What's more, sustained periods of exercise relieves muscle tension. 5. Get rid of your "shoulds". Much stress is self-imposed, resulting from mental "tapes" we play in our heads. "I should be working harder" ... "He shouldn't have treated me that way" ... "I should have known better" ... "I should spend more time with her." Try to stop thinking in terms of what you "should" and "shouldn't" do. Instead, decide what you will and will not do. That subtle change in thinking gives you more control over your actions and reactions, which can reduce feelings of stress. Finally, realize that stress is not always a negative condition. Some people thrive on it (it keeps them alert, revved up and ready to do their best). But it's up to you to decide how much stress you want in your life and how you deal with it. No one else can change the way you think and feel. To a considerable extent, then , stress may be a personal choice. Stress & Food Can't stop snacking when your under stress? Do you munch on "Comfort foods" -- mostly sweet items such as chocolate or cookies that you tend to eat more of when under stress? Eating to relieve tension or stress can spell nutritional disaster. The high -fat sweets you crave under these conditions are slow to digest, and will RAP -A -ROUND 4/23/93 Page 2 sap your energy when you need it most. They may also pile on the pounds -- causing more stress -- and are skimpy in key nutrients such as calcium and vitamins A & C. Eating poorly leaves you vulnerable to illness. The good news is that you don't have to give up comfort foods, you just need to pick the right ones. Here are some suggestions: m Try devils's food cookies instead of brownies or angel food cake instead of the other kinds. • Select lowfat yogurt or sorbet instead of ice cream. Reach for a fizzy juice -seltzer mix instead of a regular soda. • Eat pretzels or graham crackers instead of chips. • Choose a lowfat bran muffin instead of a donut. • Try one of the new varieties of lowfat tortilla chips with salsa instead of "nachos". • Avoid alcohol. It usually depresses mood and clouds judgment. Alcohol may also interfere with the amount or quality of sleep. (Courtesy of Linda Collins, editor of Newsblast, Columbia Parks and Recreation, Columbia, TN.) BULLETIN BOARD Help Wanted... Chief of Long Range Planning, Development Services. Open until filled. Operator I, (part time) San Gabriel Wastewater Plant, Public Utilities. Open until filled. Lifeguards and Pool Manager, Parks and Recreation. Open until filled. DEPARTMENT UPDATES Information Services DOS training is almost over. The schedule of upcoming classes is: 4/27 - 5/3 WP5.1 / DOS 5/4 - 5110 123 /DOS 5/12 - 5/20 Windows 5/21 - 5/24 WP /Windows 5/26 - 27 123 /Windows Please call Joanna at extension 3676 to make reservations for the class you need. We are still in need of proctors. Please call if you can help out. Remember, there is a limited amount of space, computers and time. Once you have committed to a particular class and date, please make sure you attend. If you are unable to come on the allotted date, please call Joanna (3676) so someone else can take your place. The Pilot Training Project got off to a slow start, possibly due to timing and communication problems. But the bottom line is that to make the Project a success, EVERYONE is going to have to do their part. That may be providing equipment, education or coming as a student. Your cooperation and assistance is needed and appreciated. RAP -A -ROUND 4/23/93 Page 3 Public Utilities Atta Boy Congratulations are in order for Public Utilities employees Joe Long and Andrew Hammack, as both recently received certification from the Texas Water Commission. Joe received his Grade D Water certification, while Andy received his Grade C Water Distribution certification. Certification is issued after the candidate successfully completes testing, with a passing grade, in the area to be certified. Both individuals are to be commended for their continuing education efforts. mm WWW ScnM5ZK DDDDD Km -12mDDm WMRm --I(n T�cnMMMOrWO �ZD r r A� rD_- D m T cn M D z �= G) M m 000 r McT>M m �� m m v KWA o Z Cl) D 0m Cl) z My v 0 KKKK rr DD—D M OOZD CJm zOFc� cn n zml- xK 2f�!>j T = 079� mD m� H n 0 sj>m cn cn 0 Z m z (n N CC -I -I fn to cn cn cn to (n tDn v v DD C 4Ozr2mD D -0Z K�CDOWrm �M WL� D -IA M > 2�7 ym ��xm2�D2 00 0 DAD cn (nz-4 m n D < < -I -I -I r Z�M :13005 M vWZD MOOMXK-T' m Z En w REGULAR CONTRIBUTORS: Joanna Brandon, Laura McMaster, Jodi Bizzell, Elizabeth Gray, Bobby Ewing, Leon Henderson, Janis Russell, Lee Sparks, Pat Taylor, and Penny Thomas. Please submit ads or articles you would like in the newsletter to Joanna Brandon BY 5:00 the Tuesday before payroll. " Q00©DODO©©©00©0©0 ©o©vv©oo©©©oovo©oo ©©OMMOR©OMM©©MO©M© MMMOMM©©©©MO©©©M©O M©OM©O©O©MOMMO©MM© mmmamm©©©©mmmmvivo MMM©©MMO©©©OO©M©MO M0000©©OMMOM00© ©0, ©©O©MUM©OO©©M©MMO© OM©©MOMOM©©OM©O© A C— c Z L� r aU)T 120a aa,mm ZrD Z jZo m -n A (fin C) M m U) U) 67 RAP -A -ROUND 4/23/93 Page 4