More online pledges needed for Blue Zone; more

More online pledges needed for Blue Zone

Community support has propelled Fairfield into fourth place among cities seeking to become one of Iowa?s 10 Blue Zone communities.

City administrator Jeff Clawson estimates another 275 to 300 online pledges to support the project are needed from citizens to move Fairfield into third place. He estimates 23 percent of the community have already registered.

Oelwein leads in community support, according to the online rankings at bluezonesproject.com. Woodbine and Algona follow.

Clawson encourages project supporters to continue Fairfield?s momentum, as other communities ? Sioux Center and Spencer ? move up in rankings each day.

If Fairfield is selected to become a Blue Zone, the city will receive outside assistance with health and wellness programs.

Fairfield shops open for trick or treating Monday

For a haunting, howling and spooky good time, area children are invited to visit the 11 downtown Fairfield merchant businesses that are prepping their shops for visits from Halloween visitors.

From 4-6 p.m. Monday, Halloween night, members of the Fairfield Area Chamber of Commerce Merchants Committee will participate in the Fairfield Merchant Family Trick or Treat.

?This is a great way for kids to trick or treat while the grown-ups get to see what Fairfield merchants have to offer in their places of business. So dress up the kids and bring them downtown for a haunting, howling and spooky good time for kids and parents alike,? said Nancy Morrissey, chamber administrator.

  Morrissey added each merchant business participating in the Family Merchant Trick or Treat will have a poster in its window Monday making it easy to identify each participant. 

For information, contact Morrissey at 472-2111 or nmorrissey@fairfieldiowa.com.

Police: Think of safety for Halloween

Fairfield police are reminding both adults and children to be safety conscious when celebrating Halloween.

Fairfield?s trick-or-treat hours have been set for 5:30-8:30 p.m. Monday.

Motorists should watch for children darting out from between parked cars and walking on roadways, medians and curbs.

Parents should make sure an adult or an older responsible youth will be supervising the outing for children under age 12.

Pin a slip of paper with a child?s name, address and phone number inside a pocket in case the youngster gets separated from the group.

Parents should plan and discuss the route trick-or-treaters intend to follow. Children should travel only in familiar areas along an established route and stop only at houses or apartment buildings that are well-lit and never enter a stranger?s home.

It also is a good idea to review all appropriate trick-or-treat safety precautions, including pedestrian/traffic safety rules.

Insist that treats be brought home for inspection before anything is eaten. When in doubt, throw it out. A return time should be set.

Costumes should be loose so warm clothes can be worn underneath, but they should not be so long that they are a tripping hazard.

Outfits should be made with light colored materials. Strips of retroreflective tape can be used to make children visible.

Masks can obstruct a child?s vision. Use facial make-up instead.

When buying special Halloween makeup, check for packages containing ingredients that are labeled ?Made with U.S. Approved Color Additives,? ?Laboratory Tested,? Meets Federal Standards for Cosmetics,? or ?Non-Toxic.? Follow manufacturer?s instruction for application.

If masks are worn, they should have nose and mouth openings and large eye holes.

Knives, swords and other accessories should be made from cardboard or flexible materials. Do not allow children to carry sharp objects.

Bags or sacks carried by youngsters should be light-colored or trimmed with retro-reflective tape.

Carrying flashlights will help children see better and be seen more clearly.