Five Things in Waukee: Basketball, Carbon Monoxide Awareness and Chilly Temps Today

1) Waukee YMCA Preschool/Kindergarten Basketball Clinics

The Waukee YMCA will host a basketball clinic today at beginning at 1 p.m. The clinic is open to preschool and kindergarten-aged students.

Registration is also open for the second session of the preschool/kindergarten basketball clinic that begins in January.  There will also be a kindergarten basketball league that runs February through March.

2) Waukee YMCA Adult Men's Basketball League

The Waukee YMCA will host an adult men's basketball league today at 5 p.m. at the Waukee Family YMCA.

Another men's league will begin in February or March.  Please email joel.goetsch@dmymca.org if you are interested in participating.

3) Carbon Monoxide Awareness 

The wants to remind residents about carbon monoxide awareness. This time of year, with homes closed for the winter, carbon monoxide poisoning can become an issue. Even new homes can have furnace problems. Some people contribute their illnesses to colds and flu since the symptoms are almost identical. It is a good idea to have your furnace checked once a year and invest in a carbon monoxide detector.

Parents may want to take time to talk with their teenagers and other family members regarding carbon monoxide from vehicles. Vehicles should be checked regularly to make sure the exhaust system is working properly, there are no holes in the pipe and that the fumes are being vented out the back of the vehicle and not coming back inside through the trunk or other areas. Everyone should be cautioned against sitting in their vehicles for long periods of time with the vehicles running and the windows closed.

Carbon monoxide can sneak up on your without you even knowing it since it is odorless and colorless. Both home and vehicle carbon monoxide poisoning can be deadly. Remember not to warm your car inside a garage even with the door open. Fumes can overcome you without your knowledge. Be careful, alert, and safe!

For more information, go to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, http://www.cdc.gov/co/faqs.htm.

4) Today's Weather

It's going to be a chilly one again today. Expect cloudy skies with a low near 30. Tonight, much of the same with a low around 20.

5) Did You Know?

Did you know the Waukee Area Christian Food Pantry needs donations this holiday season to meet an increasing demand? You can give to the Waukee Area Christian Food Pantry in the following ways:

1. Donate a complete box - Fill up an empty box (with a lid) - include enough for a family of four to six - personalize and be as generous as you like.
2. Donate an item or two - Choose items from the list below or donate some of your favorite holiday meal items. Any non-perishable food item or personal care item is accepted. 
3. Make a cash donation - Make check payable to WACFP and mail to: Waukee Area Christian Food Pantry, 1155 S.E. Boone Dr., Waukee, IA 50263.

Here is a list of requested items:

• Boxed potatoes and gravy
• Canned green beans or corn
• Cream of mushroom soup
• French fried onions
• Crackers
• Baked beans
• Egg noodles
• Corn muffin mix
• Canned fruit
• Pumpkin pie filling
• Evaporated milk
• Toilet paper
• Laundry soap
• Shampoo/body soap (full size)
• Toothpaste
• Kleenex

The Food Pantry asks that you drop off all food pantry gifts by Dec. 12. The Food Pantry is open Mondays, 4-6 p.m. and Thursdays, 9-11 a.m.