Are you ready? Though we may be a couple weeks away from the official change in season, it’s time to spring forward this weekend.
Whether you’re a fan of the change or not, Daylight Saving Time begins 2 a.m. Sunday and remains in effect through Nov. 2.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine offers tips and pointers to help minimize the impact of transitioning from standard time to DST. This is important, as quality rest benefits overall health. Getting enough sleep can reduce stress and support a healthier response to it, improve heart health and metabolism, boost attention and memory, and reduce the risk of chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, stroke, and Type 2 diabetes.
Adults should aim for 7-8 hours of sleep per night; check out AASM’s webpage, sleepeducation.org/healthy-sleep/, to see guidelines and recommendations across different ages.
Shifting bedtime 15-20 minutes earlier per night for a few nights before the time change can help smooth the transition, as can adapting timing of meals and other daily routines. Adjusting exposure to light and darkness can support the body’s internal clock in regulating time for sleep and alertness; try to get some sunshine in the morning as soon as possible after waking and keep lights dim during the evening hours. This Saturday, set clocks ahead one hour then go to bed at your regular bedtime.
Other ways to increase overall sleep quality include turning electronics off 30-60 minutes prior to bedtime, eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly, keeping your bedroom quiet and cool, avoiding alcohol and large meals prior to bedtime, foregoing caffeine in the afternoon and evening hours, and establishing a consistent schedule for going to bed and waking up.
Prioritizing sleep and healthy rest has been a goal of mine for the past year or so. I’ve committed to setting an earlier bedtime and have tried to maintain that schedule throughout each week, and I’ll be taking a few extra steps to keep that momentum going as we shift into DST.
Read books for burgers
The Douglas County Public Library recently announced the return of the In-N-Out Burger Cover to Cover Reading Program. Through April 16, children ages 4 to 12 can earn up to three free burgers or cheeseburgers by reading books.
The Cover to Cover program aims to encourage children to read, improve their literacy rate, and foster a lifelong love of reading. Participants can register for the program and receive a reading log to track their progress at either the Minden or Zephyr Cove Library.
The Minden Library is located at 1625 Library Lane. The Zephyr Cove Library is located at 233 Warrior Way. Connect with the DCPL on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, library.douglascountynv.gov, or call 775-782-9841.
Coat Drive reports final numbers
Last fall, Carson Valley Sertoma and the Friends in Service Helping Family Resource Center in the Gardnerville Ranchos partnered to host the 2024-25 Annual Coat Drive.
Sertoma member and coat drive co-chair Eileen Behr shared that the three month effort resulted in the distribution of 3,184 coats and sweaters; 5,187 warm items such as hats, scarves, blankets, mittens, and socks; and personal items that included toiletries, underwear, and hand warmers. Coat drive donations were given to 22 different organizations in the area.
“Once again, it was amazing to feel the incredible generosity of our community,” said Coat Drive sorting crew lead Linda Armstrong. “So many items were barely worn and many came in new, with tags attached. We had very few discards, which is also a credit to the community.”
Armstrong said the change from Sertoma’s “Behr” Shed to FISH went smoothly and on time to receive the barrels filled at businesses throughout Carson Valley and Carson City.
“The FISH crew of Maria, Gail, and Brenda were always so helpful to our sorting process and contributed to the genial success of the season,” Armstrong said. “A special thanks goes to Maria Mendez at FISH for her constant involvement. She and her crew opened the doors for deliveries, sorted and bagged items when they had time, recorded the count and stored them in the FISH shed for distribution by Sertoma.”
Around 30 barrels were placed in locations throughout the Carson Valley and Carson City. Several local businesses and organizations arranged for their own special collection events, and corporate donors included Carson Valley Health, Crown Cleaners, Lamar Advertising, Mr. Bubbles Laundromat, and Walmart.
To learn more about the annual coat drive, visit carsonvalleysertoma.org.
Amy Roby can be reached at ranchosroundup@hotmail.com.
