September 2018 Highline Notes

HIGHLINE

notes

September 2018

CCEC PROGRAMS AND SERVICES, pg. 4 CALLING ALL ARTISTS, pg. 7 A NEW BILL DESIGN COMING AT YOU!, pg. 9

CCEC day at the Red River Zoo, September 9.

See back cover for details.

www.kwh.com

September 2018 Highline Notes 1

editorial LOOK OUT FOR SCAMS

Marshal Albright, President/CEO

Unfortunately, in today’s world, scams are inevitable. Scammers can threaten you with everything from legal action involving the IRS to turning off power to your home.

Utility scams often involve an individual or group posing as an employee of your electric cooperative. The scammer may use threatening language to frighten you into offering your credit card or bank account information. Don’t fall victim to these types of scams. Understand the threats posed and your best course of action:

•If someone calls your home or cell phone demanding you pay your electric bill immediately, gather as much information as you can from that individual, hang up the phone and contact the local authorities. Scammers often use threats and urgency to pressure you into giving them your bank account number or loading a pre-paid credit or debit card (such as a Green Dot card). Cass County Electric Cooperative will never ask you to offer up personal financial information over the phone. If you have any doubts about your utility bill, contact our member accounts team either in person or over the phone at 701356-4430.

•If someone comes to your home claiming to be an employee of Cass County Electric Cooperative who needs to collect money or inspect parts of your property, call us to verify they are, in fact, an employee. If they are not, call local authorities for assistance and do not let the individual into your home.

There are other types of scams consumers should watch out for: •Government agencies like the IRS will never call to inform you that

you have unpaid taxes or other liens against you. You will always receive this type of information in the mail. If someone calls claiming to be the IRS, hang up immediately.

•If you receive an email from an unknown sender, an email riddled with spelling errors and typos, or an email threatening action unless a sum of money is paid, do not click any links provided within the email, and do not respond to the email. Just delete the email or send it to your spam folder.

•If someone calls your home claiming to have discovered a virus on your computer, hang up. This caller intends to access personal information you may be keeping on your computer.

Cass County Electric Cooperative wants to make sure you avoid any and all types of scams that could put you or your financial information in jeopardy. If you have any questions or would like more information about how you can protect yourself from scammers, visit the federal trade commission web site at www. comsumer.ftc.gov and search “scams” or “10 things you can do to avoid fraud.”

CCEC OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 3 FOR L ABOR DAY.

2 Highline Notes September 2018

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l

YOU’RE INVITED!

member meetings Hear from CCEC President/ CEO Marshal Albright as he reflects on the past year and looks ahead to the coop’s future. Celebrate the work of our employees, visit with and make new friends, become an informed member of CCEC and enjoy a meal of meatballs, mashed potatoes, green beans, and dessert.

contents features

4 7 9

5:30 p.m. meal 6:30 p.m. meeting

25, 2018 EAGLES CLUB

345 12th Ave NE, Valley City

FARGO

OCTober

5:30 p.m. meal 6:30 p.m. meeting

30, 2018 HOLIDAY INN

3803 13th Ave S, Fargo

Volume 76, Number 9

PROGRAMS & SERVICES

Writer Peter Koepp, pkoepp@kwh.com

HOLIDAY COLORING CONTEST

Designer Jocelyn Hovland, jhovland@kwh.com

Printer Forum Communications Printing

A NEW BILL DESIGN COMING AT YOU

in ever y issue 2 editorial 12 recipes 14 ad page

11 safety 13 nd photo 15 tech

NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT In accordance with federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture Policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S. W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call 202-720-5964 (voice & TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Board of Directors Marcy Svenningsen, Chairman Jeff Triebold, Vice Chairman Glenn Mitzel, Secretary Sid Berg, Treasurer Douglas Anderson Russell Berg John Froelich Wendy Loucks Thomas J. Seymour Executive Staff Marshal Albright, President/CEO Jodi Bullinger, Vice President of Engineering and Operations Paul Matthys, Vice President of Member and Energy Services Chad Sapa, Vice President of Corporate Services and CFO Tim Sanden, Vice President of Information Technology and CIO Highline Notes (USPS 244-740) is published monthly except for July by Cass County Electric Cooperative, Inc., 3312 42nd St. S., Suite 200, Fargo, ND 58104 Periodicals postage paid at Fargo, North Dakota 58104, and at additional mailing offices.

VALLEY CITY

OCTober

Highline Notes

FEATURED BUSINESSES: Red River Zoo

$1 off regular admission rates 4255 23rd Ave S, Fargo 701-277-9240

Sterling Optical

20% off all disposable contact lenses with two box minimum purchase. 50% off all frames ($100 max discount) 3402 13th Ave S, CrossRoads Center Fargo 701-234-0939 On the cover: A camel takes a dip on a warm day at the Red River Zoo.

www.kwh.com

Subscription Rate: 28¢/month.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Highline Notes, 3312 42nd St. S., Suite 200, Fargo, ND 58104. © Copyright Cass County Electric Cooperative 2018. All rights reserved.

Printed in the U.S.A. Contact us Billing questions/ start or stop service: 701-356-4430 or 888-277-4422 Emergency or Power Outage: 701-356-4499 or 888-277-4424 Other questions: 701-356-4400 or 800-248-3292 Call before you dig: 800-795-0555 or 811 Information about the cooperative, articles of incorporation, bylaws and more can be found at www.kWh.com.

September 2018 Highline Notes 3

programs & services

Serving our members through safety, integrity, innovation, accountability, and commitment to community.

Energy review

Looking to learn the cause behind high energy use in your home or business? CCEC offers on-site walk-throughs with an assessment and analysis of the energy characteristics of your space. This review will give you the information you need to help you manage your energy costs and make changes that can impact your energy consumption. For more details, call our energy management team at 800.248.3292.

Electric vehicles

CCEC is an active supporter of electric vehicles (EV) and the effort to make EV charging stations publicly available in the area. In 2018, CCEC partnered with Lignite Energy Council and Sanford Health to install four new EV charging stations at the new Sanford medical center in Fargo.

Additionally, CCEC augmented its vehicle fleet with an allelectric Chevy Bolt and a plug-in electric hybrid Mitsubishi Outlander. While being regularly used by employees, the vehicles are also giving CCEC firsthand experience with EV performance and reliability in our region.

Reliability

CCEC strives to provide affordable, reliable electric service.

As such, each year we focus on taking specific steps to ensure that outage frequency and duration are kept to a minimum. At the same time, we conduct extensive planning to ensure we are able to meet future needs within our service territory. With our combination of high-tech tools and a team of experts, our members can rest assured that we are looking out for their energy needs.

4 Highline Notes September 2018

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Operation Round Up

Funded by the Cass County Electric Cooperative Foundation, Operation Round Up (ORU) helps individuals and nonprofit organizations in need in our communities. Eighty percent of CCEC members participate in the program – each month, their bills are rounded up to the nearest dollar, hence the name Operation Round Up. Additionally, CCEC employees can contribute by having their paychecks rounded down. Since forming in 1993, CCEC’s ORU program has given back more than $2.5 million. In 2017, funds granted to the community and individuals in need in our region totaled more than $206,000.

Off-peak and rebates

CCEC’s off-peak programs offer participating members lower rates in exchange for managing their electricity use during times of high energy demand, such as extremely cold winter days. The most popular off-peak option is dual heat, where a member’s primary heat source is electric, but they also have a backup source, such as propane or fuel oil. The majority of the time, the member is able to use the electric heat as desired, but if energy demand is high, CCEC is able to automatically switch the member to their backup heat source.

Heating Systems Plenum heaters, baseboard, electric furnace, hanging heater, cable floor heat, boiler

Off-Peak Incentive Additional Install ($600 max) Credit $20/kW

N/A

Air-source heat pump

$100/ton

$150

Water Heaters

Off-Peak Incentive Additional Install ($500 max) Credit

Ground-source heat pump (100+ gallon, long-term control)

Electric water heater

Additional for new construction

Additional for conversion from natural gas or propane

$200/ton

$150

$200

$150

$250

N/A

$100

N/A

In addition to a discounted off-peak rate, rebates are available for the installation of qualifying heating systems, water heaters, and electric vehicle chargers enrolled in the off-peak program.

To be eligible for incentives, all systems must have qualified backup, be new equipment, and be controlled on CCEC’s off-peak program. Credits will be applied to electric bill after visit from CCEC technician. These one-time incentives are in addition to the discounted off-peak electric rate. Please call our energy management team at 800.248.3292 if you have any questions on off-peak or the incentive program.

Youth Tour

More than 1,600 high school students from around the nation participate in the annual Electric Cooperative Youth Tour in Washington, D.C. The Youth Tour consists of a fast-paced, intensive week of learning about history and American government, visiting with North Dakota congressional delegation, becoming more knowledgeable about the cooperative business model, and touring museums, national monuments and memorials.

www.kwh.com

September 2018 Highline Notes 5

SmartHub

When you sign up for SmartHub, you not only gain control of your billing options, but you also receive access to your energy use data. With this, you can see a visual comparison of your day-to-day energy use and can compare weeks, months, and even years. This information can help you make the right choices to manage your monthly bill. Visit kwh.smarthub.coop or download the SmartHub app to get started.

Capital Credits

Capital credits are your return on investment in the co-op. Allocations are mostly invested into construction projects until financial conditions allow for them to be retired, or returned, in the form of a check or bill credit.

This year’s capital credit general retirement totaled more than $1.6 million, including credits for electricity used in 1993 and 1994, estate payments, and other miscellaneous retirements.

We hold on to any unclaimed capital credit retirements. To see if you have capital credits waiting to be claimed, visit kwh.com/capital-credits and use the capital credits search.

Prairie Sun Community Solar

North Dakota’s first community solar program has been cranking out the kilowatt-hours through the sunny summer months. The solar array has proven to be a great renewable energy learning tool for the co-op and its members. There are still panels available for reservation. Visit kwh.com/solar to learn how to get involved.

Volunteerism

Community support and volunteering are key traits for CCEC and its employees. Many departments at the co-op spend time on group volunteer efforts for programs and organizations such as Meals on Wheels, Great Plains Food Bank, and the Emergency Food Pantry. This year employees spent two days in the summer helping out at the West Fargo Fire Department, doing some cleaning, truck washing, painting, and other tasks the crews— mostly volunteers—don’t have time to do.

6 Highline Notes September 2018

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TIME TO REPLACE YOUR WATER HEATER? Get off-peak rates and up to a $350 energy credit for newly installed electric water heaters over 100 gallons outfitted with grid-enabled technology!

COLOR OUTSIDE LINES! THE

Calling all kids! Submit your holiday-themed art for a chance to be featured on the cover of Highline Notes. This year, the picture is up to you. Draw or color a holiday scene of your choice and send it to us. Be sure to include artist’s name, age, parents’ names, and address.

Water heater must be installed on long-term, off-peak control.

Visit kwh.com/water-heaters for program details. www.kwh.com

Return to CCEC by November 1.

Direct questions to Jocelyn at 701.356.4526 or jhovland@kwh.com. By submitting art for the coloring contest, you acknowledge that your child’s name and submission may be used on our social media channels.

September 2018 Highline Notes 7

the POWER of

SmartHub

Control your account from your desktop or mobile device • View your bill • View billing and payment history • Schedule and make payments • Manage payment options and autopay

• Access the outage viewer • Read the Highline Notes magazine • Contact CCEC • Check today’s load control • View Prairie Sun Community Solar output

NEW to the app:

• Report a power outage and monitor service status • Manage paperless billing settings • Add additional service providers for multiple accounts

Monitor & compare energy use

See how home energy use changes from bill to bill, and learn how personal habits and behaviors impact your monthly energy usage.

00000

Go paperless for a one-time $5 bill credit Enrolling in SmartHub is EASY! To get started: • Visit kwh.com and click the SmartHub logo on the home page.

• Enter your CCEC account number, last name or business, and email address to

8 Highline Notes September 2018

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create your SmartHub account.

• Complete your registration and download the SmartHub mobile app for total control over your electric account.

A NEW bill design coming at you!

Your CCEC bill will soon take on a new and improved look. A simplified layout will make your bill easier to understand, while electricity usage charts will give you more insight into how weather and habits contribute to your bill.

How to read your new electric bill:

1

1. Your statement print date, account number, and bill

due date are provided with

a summary of your existing charges.

2. This section will contain

important information regarding

2

your bill along with useful tips from CCEC.

3. This section expands upon your

4

3

service summary, including

account details and a breakdown of your energy and demand

charges. Additional charges or

credits will appear in this section.

4. A usage chart provides an easy

way to compare how you’ve used electricity from month to month with usage, temperature, and cost averages.

5

5. Paying by mail? Be sure to

include the bottom portion of your bill with the appropriate side facing out. This section

includes an area to update your contact information.

www.kwh.com

September 2018 Highline Notes 9

e t a g l i a EV T

THURS. SEPT. 13 CASS COUNTY ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

4100 32 ND AVE S, FARGO ND 58104

PARTY

4-7 PM

Experience the excitement of driving electric at this free event! Find out what current drivers love about their electric vehicles and gather the facts about the merits of EVs and hybrids!

Evening Attractions

• Local food truck sponsored by Border States Electric!

SPONSORED BY

• The first 200 guests will receive a free t-shirt from Minnkota Power Cooperative!

• Advice about installation requirements and charging stations.

• Learn about CCEC rebates and our off-peak charging program.

• Get information on charging locations and tax incentives.

• Experience a ride-along in CCEC’s Chevy Bolt!

EV Showcase

• Meet local EV owners and ask about their cars.

• Local dealerships (vehicle availability depends on dealer inventory).

• CCEC’s hybrid Mitsubishi Outlander and all-electric Chevy Bolt.

Charge up with North Dakota Homegrown Energy Follow us on Facebook for more info or call 701.356.4526 10 Highline Notes September 2018 www.kwh.com

safety The safety of our members, employees, and communities is our number one priority. If you are involved in a group and are looking for a speaker on electrical safety, call our manager of safety at 701.356.4400.

Use care when operating large machinery near power lines. Â

Tips for a safe harvest

Inspect the height of equipment to determine clearance.

Always keep equipment at least 10 feet away (in all directions) from power lines.

Harvest season brings hard work and can be exhausting, but rushing the job to save time can be extremely dangerous (even deadly!) when working near overhead power lines. We urge farm operators and workers to keep these safety tips in mind.

e p i c e R INGREDIENTS

Remember to lower extensions when moving loads.

If a power line is sagging or looks to be dangerously low, please call us immediately.

Source: SafeElectricity.org

FROM THE KITCHEN OF: DIRECTIONS

Please share your favorite and bring it to a member meeting, include it with your next bill, or email it to jhovland@kwh.com. www.kwh.com

September 2018 Highline Notes 11

food RECIPES FROM YOUR KITCHEN

Email to ccec@kwh.com or mail to: Cass County Electric Cooperative; Highline Notes 3312 42nd St S, Suite 200, Fargo, ND 58104

This month’s featured gadget: Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker)

Beef Stroganoff

Ingredients: 1 lb. ground beef 1/2 c. chopped onion 2 cloves garlic, minced Salt and pepper 1 T. flour 1 10.5 oz. can cream of mushroom soup 1 t. Worcestershire sauce 3 c. beef broth 3 c. egg noodles, uncooked 1 c. sour cream Preparation: Spray Instant Pot with nonstick cooking spray.

Brown meat, onion, and garlic using the sauté function on the Instant Pot. Season with salt and pepper. Add in flour and stir well. Stir in cream of mushroom soup, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce. Add uncooked noodles and stir.

Place lid on Instant Pot and set to 8 minutes on HIGH pressure. Once finished, turn the valve from sealing to venting to quick release the pressure. Remove lid and stir in sour cream just before serving. You can add items like peas or mushrooms if desired.

Zuppa Toscana

Ingredients: 1 T. olive oil 1 lb. mild Italian sausage 4 slices bacon, chopped 3 cloves garlic 1 c. diced onion ½ t. dried oregano 3 potatoes, chopped 6 c. chicken broth ½ t. salt ¼ t. black pepper 8 oz. chopped kale, about 8-10 leaves, no stems 1 c. half and half Preparation: Set Instant Pot to high sauté, add olive oil and sausage.

Cook, stirring frequently until sausage is crumbly and lightly browned, about 3-5 minutes. Drain fat. Add bacon garlic, onion, and oregano. Cook, stirring until onions are translucent, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in potatoes, chicken broth and some salt and pepper.

Select manual setting, adjust pressure to high, and set timer for 5 minutes. When finished cooking, quick release the pressure. Stir in kale until wilted, 1-2 minutes.

Stir in half and half until heated, about 1 minute. Add salt and pepper if needed and serve immediately.

12 Highline Notes September 2018 www.kwh.com

Lemon Chicken

Ingredients: 6-8 chicken thighs 1 lemon, slice half, juice other half 3 cloves garlic, minced ¾ c. unsalted chicken stock 3 T. honey 1 T. light soy sauce 1 T. oil 1/8 t. dried rosemary Dash of apple cider vinegar Salt and pepper to taste 2 ½ T. cornstarch 3 T. cold water Preparation: Heat up your Instant Pot by pressing the Sauté button and click Adjust button to Sauté More function. Wait until the indicator says HOT. Pat chicken thighs with paper towel to dry them, season with salt and pepper.

Pour 1 T. oil in Instant Pot, it should coat the bottom.

Place chicken thighs skin side down in pot. Don’t overcrowd, might need to cook in two batches.

Brown the skin side for 4 minutes, flip and brown other side for 1-2 minutes. Remove and set aside.

Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds. Add dash of cider vinegar and scrape bottom with wooden spoon to release all the brown bits. Add chicken stock, soy sauce, 1 T. lemon juice, the slices from half the lemon, and rosemary. Stir together then add all of the chicken pieces on top. Close lid and cook at high pressure for 5 minutes. Turn off and release the pressure. Set chicken aside.

Press cancel, then press sauté button. Stir in honey.

Mix cornstarch in cold water then add it one third at a time until it thickens. Drizzle the lemon sauce over the chicken and serve.

d

photo NORTH DAKOTA THROUGH YOUR EYES We look forward to publishing member photos that encompass anything North Dakota. Email your photos for publication to ccec@kwh.com in a high-resolution format along with the first and last name of the photographer.

Marietta Hartse Andresen, Reiles Acres

CCEC Mission: To serve our members’ energy needs with affordable and reliable electricity.

CCEC Core Values: Safety, Integrity, Innovation, Accountability and Commitment to Community www.kwh.com

September 2018 Highline Notes 13

ads AD POLICY

All ads must be 40 words or less and will be abbreviated following our guidelines. No real estate or commercial ads will be accepted. Ads are published for members at no charge as space permits on a first-received-first-printed basis. Ads are due by the 15th of the month prior to publication. Members may submit only one ad per issue. Ads must be resubmitted to run an additional month. Editor reserves the right to edit or reject any ad. Email ads to: ccec@kwh.com (preferred). Mail ads to: Highline Notes, 3312 42nd St. S. Suite 200, Fargo, ND 58104

For sale: 4 vintage school desks, good cond, $15 ea. Draft horse items: new halters, new & older hames, & more, all for $145. Marvin ext door w/ sidelight, 15 yr old, new $4,000, asking $75 cash. 701.361.3484 New American Legacy guitar w/ amp, never used, make offer. 8-pc service pompadour china dishes, make offer.

701.566.7165 Ceramic carousel horse, 20 x 25, ivory w/ pink/blue accents on 5’ rod & base, $60. 701.306.4727 Wooden twin bunkbeds, exc cond, beautiful finish, 2 lg sliding storage drawers under, incl mattresses, pillows, all bedding, $295.

701.845.2937 2004 JD GT235 mower, 18hp Kawasaki 570cc 2cyl gas, 48” deck, 167hrs, new tires: 2 front, 1 rear, front bumper cracked, works great.

701.388.6684 or rolfson1@hotmail. com. Cash only.

O’Day 550 gal. and 400 gal. steel fuel/gas tanks on 7’ stands w/ hoses, always stored inside, no rust, pics avail, $550/$400 respectively OBO. 701.361.8229 Legend 3-wheel scooter, used 1 summer, 2 new batt & elec cord, gold color, asking $1,500 OBO. 701.793.0618 10-pc metal patio furniture set, light green, matching floral cushions, crank-up umbrella w/ floral pattern, 4 stackable chairs, 40” round glasstop table, all pcs good cond., stored inside in off season, $147 OBO. 701.234.0204

2 nearly new Michelin M/S2 truck tires. LT235/80R 17. Load rating E. $100 for pair. 701.391.3333 Golf clubs, men’s Ping Eye set, Adams Tight Lie, HB #7, 9, Pw. Woman’s Ping Rhapsody driver, tour set, Old #2 Brassie, #8 Niblick, 2 collapsible golf carts, bags, misc. 701.237.5182 Pace Master treadmill, $75. La-ZBoy rocker recliner, burgundy, $50.

701.429.1614 or 701.866.9464 6’x10’ tilt bed for trailer w/ ramps, 0 miles on tires. 701.730.4080 Free: Baldwin walnut piano, 58”.

Baldwin walnut elec organ, 2 manual, 45”. 701.280.9301 2016 Toyota Sienna XLE 7-passenger minivan. Midnight Blue. 35k mi. Very good cond., clean, comfortable, responsive, sharp. 6 cyl, dual sliding doors, satellite & GPS package.

Good rubber. Orig owner. $23,995.

701.261.8686 Tires - Michelin Latitude Tour (all season), P/235/55R18 99 T, $40 ea.

Fit SUV, van, crossovers, etc. 4 tires.

701.639.2468 Larsen cello, mdl 18544OF, w/ case, exc cond., $800. 701.238.3761 Cub Cadet riding mower, mdl XT1, 42”, only 3 hrs, 2.5 yrs old, incl trailer, $1,150. 701.492.4532 2013 Keystone Montana 38’ 5th wheel camper w/ custom winter skirting, perfect for perm. lot, mdl 3625RE, clean, exc cond., 1 owner, Horace, $45,000. 701.240.7788 2003 Ultra Classic Harley, 100th

14 Highline Notes September 2018 www.kwh.com

anniv, 21,182 mi, black, $12,000 OBO. 701.361.6806 D Case and M IHC w/ F-10 loader w/ snow bucket, both tractors run well.

Parts for old Case tractors (D, DC, SC, VAC). 701.845.4303 A16 JD pressure washer w/ hoses, $80. Knipco heater, $25. Monarch self-priming transfer pump w/ 3hp Briggs & Stratton eng, $85. Old kraut cutter, $50. 701.845.4399 2 Sun Mountain golf carts, 34 dozen golf balls, Wilson Pro Staff men’s left hand clubs, men’s right hand clubs, complete sets, all in exc cond, make offer. 701.293.2930 Yamaha Clarinet mdl 20. Rarely used w/ grades to prove it. Priced new $900, asking $400. 701.793.2139 1949 IH KB2 pu, motor turns over, 244 inline 6-cyl, title in hand. 2005 F250, ext cab, 4x4, 5.4L V8, 176k mi.

701.866.9700 Epson Stylus CX4800 printer/ scanner/copier $5; 140W Tripp-Lite PowerVerter inverter (turns cigarette lighter plug into 120V outlet) $10; 3 Dayton’s Santa bears, $35 or $15 for 1. 701.371.8161 Ruger Mark II slab side competition, stainless w/ case & scope. Exc cond, Gun World worth $400-$600, asking $350. 715.440.0003 Free: Spinet piano, good cond, walnut color. You arrange moving from West Fargo home. 701.282.6298 Wanted: 1996 or 1997 Valley City State Vikings yearbook. 218.790.9133

s

tech SMART HOME ENTRY 8: THE OPTIONS ARE ENDLESS

The world of smart devices is only continuing to grow.

Our smart home series showed but a glimpse of the possibilities for techies to explore. While many of the items we explored were low impact and easy to install and incorporate into a smart home system, there are more involved gadgets out there that can really complete a smart home. Let’s take a look at a few categories that we didn’t explore over the previous months.

Smart thermostats were truly the first smart device to become mainstream. Product choices abound with smart options for baseboard electric being developed, while the focus remains solidly on convenience, energy savings, and peace of mind.

Smart security is a broad category that also includes many options for door locks, wireless cameras, and other devices.

Smart smoke and CO sensors are key in the safety sector, with the capability of sending alerts to your phone, allowing remote status checks and silencing alarms from the app.

Smart appliances are slowly grinding forward.

Refrigerators with cameras allow you to check for needed items while at the grocery store (no more forgetting key ingredients), and dryers sense when electric use is highest and turn off. Even HVAC systems and water heaters are sporting mobile apps these days.

Broadly advertised voice-controlled assistants are receiving a lot of attention, and depending on the capabilities they are given, have the potential to command everything via voice, freeing you from the tedium of opening an app to control something.

www.kwh.com

September 2018 Highline Notes 15

3312 42nd St. S., Fargo, North Dakota 58104 800-248-3292 • www.kwh.com

Visit kwh.com/e-hln to sign up for paperless Highline Notes!

ME MBE R

RENDEZVOUS

AT THE ZOO RED RIVER ZOO | 5-8 PM

SEPTEMBER 9, 2018

Free carousel rides | Animal demonstrations | Games & activities Free admission for all | No need to RSVP | Concessions available for purchase 16 Highline Notes September 2018 www.kwh.com