Money
Free kids mental-health screenings
The Mental Health Center of Denver, a private, not-for-profit, public mental health care organization serving Denver families, including those without insurance, will offer free children’s mental health screenings from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The event is at the Broncos Boys and Girls Club, 4397 Crown Blvd., and includes kids activities and complimentary refreshments. Parents or guardians should plan to allow 30 minutes for each screening. Walk-ins are welcome, but participants can pre-register at mhcd.org or by calling 303-504-6962.
Space and Time
Getting it together in minutes
Sometimes it seems like we can’t throw a stone without hitting a professional organizer. The best among them champion realistic, down-to-earth solutions that make lives easier, rather than creating another chore for the to-do list. That’s the appeal of “Zen Organizer” Regina Leeds‘ new book, “The 8 Minute Organizer: Easy Solutions to Simplify Your Life in Your Spare Time” (De Capo). Leeds has assembled ideas and solutions that are straightforward and easy to do. “Home should nurture you and make life easier,” she writes. “Just walking in the front door should bring relief.”
Examples from her approach:
Start small — Take five minutes each morning to make your bed and empty the trash.
Streamlined junk drawer — You need only one pen, pencil, highlighter and Sharpie, so toss the rest or store them in plastic zip bags.
Toy bin photo labels — Even kiddos who are too young to read can put their toys away in the proper containers when they see a picture of blocks, action figures or a stuffed animal.
Energy
Xcel’s “saver’s switch”
Summer is on the horizon, so here’s a tip for anyone concerned about high, air conditioning-fueled utility bills. Upon request, qualified Xcel Energy customers can have a “Saver’s Switch” installed that cycles air conditioning off and on at 15- to 20-minute intervals. According to Xcel, this will allow residents to stay cool while conserving energy. Anyone who has a Saver’s Switch installed also receives a $40 annual bill credit. for more information, or call 1-800-895-4999 during regular business hours.
Elana Ashanti Jefferson, The Denver Post
