Prevention is key to a healthy pet

Don’t wait until your pet is sick to bring them to the veterinarian. Ginny Anderson, a veterinary assistant at East Central Veterinarians, stresses the importance of preventative healthcare, such as annual examinations, parasite control, routine vaccinations and dental care. Spaying and neutering is also key to a healthy pet. The optimal age to spay and neuter is five to six months.

“Puppies don’t get just one vaccination and then they’re done for life,” Anderson noted. They need a series of vaccinations. Puppies are susceptible to parvovirus, which can be prevented with vaccinations. Dogs should also have a physical examination every year. Which vaccinations are needed (such as distemper, lyme or rabies) is determined by the veterinarian and individualized for each dog’s needs. Similarly, for cats, schedule an appointment for a physical examination. At that time, discuss which vaccinations your pet needs. If the pet has any health concerns, the veterinarian will discuss them with the owner and make recommendations.

ECV is pleased to announce that Dr. Amy Anderson has joined Dr. Mary Olson and Dr. Galen Brelie as a co-owner. Dr. Anderson has been with ECV since 2000. She enjoys all aspects of small animal medicine and surgery, especially behavior. She offers puppy socialization classes at the clinic when time allows.

To schedule an appointment at East Central Veterinary, call the Cambridge office at 763-689-4604 or the Mora office at 320-679-4197. For more information, browse www.eastcentralveterinarians.com. In Cambridge, hours are Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. In Mora, hours are Monday to Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. to noon.

TIPS FROM THE PROS

• Socialize your dogs and cats so they can cope with being around other animals. This will not only be a benefit when you bring your animal into the veterinarian, but also if you decide to add another pet to the family.

• Don’t feed your dog table food. Instead, invest in a good, name-brand food. Table foods have more salt and fats in them and can cause diarrhea. Table foods as treats can also add extra pounds to your pet.

• Put your dog through obedience training. A better behaved dog is more enjoyable.

Non-profits can use community center for free

City chooses LeFebvre Catering for all events at the facility

CAMBRIDGE – Local non-profits can hold their meetings at the new Cambridge community center at no charge.
Among those organizations that can use the facility for free are those that give back to the community. These include the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Brownies, Girl Scouts, Cambridge Ambassadors, Isanti County Historical Society, Jaycees, Lions, Masons, Rotary and 4-H.
If these groups use the kitchen or the assembly hall, they will be charged the $20 an hour supervision fee by the National Guard, noted Cambridge City Administrator Lynda Woulfe. during the Cambridge City Council meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 17.
Isanti County may also use the community center at no charge.
Other groups will be charged half the cost. These include any non-profit that can provide a 501c exemption letter, athletic associations that serve Cambridge residents, and local schools (District 911, Cambridge Christian School, Christ the King parochial, and the home school cooperative).
Council member Bob Shogren suggested that the list be modified.
Those eligible for free rent will be reviewed by the Community Center Task Force and any recommendations brought back to the city council.
FULL-DAY RENTAL FEES REDUCED
Council members had set rental fees in January. However, after hearing that the fee charged for a full-day event was too high, the amount was lowered on Tuesday night.
Hourly rates will be as follows:
• Assembly hall, Monday to Friday: $40
• Assembly hall, Saturday and Sunday: $60
• Assembly hall and kitchen, Monday to Friday, $75 with a maximum of $500
• Assembly hall and kitchen, Saturday and Sunday: $95 with a maximum of $500 per single day event (plus a $20 an hour supervision fee)
• Classrooms, Monday to Friday: $20
• Classrooms, Saturday and Sunday: $40
CATERING SERVICES
LeFebvre Catering, together with the Cambridge American Legion (liquor provider), will serve as the caterer at the community center.
Two caterers submitted proposals for the city to consider: LeFebvre Catering and Spectacular Catering. The fees for the two were nearly similar, noted Woulfe.
Both employ a number of local people as part-time employees to help serve at events.
Prior to the regular council meeting on Feb. 17, both caterers provided a sample meal for council members and guests.
After reviewing the proposals, the city council appointed LeFebvre Catering.
“I think they both did a fabulous job,” noted council member Lisa Iverson.
USE POLICY
A policy governing the use of the community center was also approved on Tuesday night.
It was written by the community center task force and then forwarded to the city council.
Those who would like to rent the facility should contact Cambridge City Hall at 763-689-3211.
A non-refundable deposit of 50 percent is required for any reservation of the assembly hall.
Any alcohol for events must be provided through the city’s approved caterer.
Weapons are not allowed on the premises, unless it is for a special event that is pre-approved by the city (such as a gun show).
Camping is not allowed.
Council member Dave Schornstein questioned the restrictions placed on grilling. Woulfe clarified that commercial grills being used by caterers or a local non-profit doing a benefit (such as the Rotary) would be allowed, following approval by the city’s fire chief and city administrator.

Community center bill grows by $45,000

Military is charging the city for use

CAMBRIDGE – Cambridge’s new community center is going to cost the city an additional $45,000 a year.
Council members hope to recoup most of that through rental fees.
“There’s a lot of demand,” noted Cambridge City Administrator Lynda Woulfe during the Jan. 20 council meeting.
The additional $45,000 is a fee that is being charged by the military, which constructed and owns the facility.
The city is also responsible for hiring a custodian who will oversee afternoon and evening events at the center Monday to Friday. National Guard personnel will oversee events on the weekends for an additional fee ($20 an hour).
Council members are disappointed that they were paying an additional fee to the military. To entice the military to Cambridge, the city donated the land the facility is built upon (which was donated to the city by the Kelly family), and paid for utility connections at the site. Cambridge also contributed $750,000 to upgrade the building.
“I know that amount is not what the city hoped for in light of the amenities it provided to the community center,” noted Woulfe. However, she is pleased the city was able to negotiate the military down from the $65,000 fee first proposed.
Under the terms of this agreement, the city controls rental fees and the Armed Forces Readiness Center calendar.
Now that the use agreement has been approved between the military and the city, the city can begin taking reservations for events at the community center. Call 763-689-3211.
COMMUNITY CENTER FEES
Cambridge evaluated the rates being charged by the school district when it determined the fees it will be charging at the community center.
Hourly rates will be as follows:
• Assembly hall, Monday to Friday: $40
• Assembly hall, Saturday and Sunday: $60
• Assembly hall and kitchen, Monday to Friday, $75 with a maximum of $900
• Assembly hall and kitchen, Saturday and Sunday: $95 with a maximum of $1,200 per single day event
• Classrooms, Monday to Friday: $20
• Classrooms, Saturday and Sunday: $40
At this time, the city has not set up a fee schedule for fitness center use.
Woulfe questioned whether council members want to waive fees for non-profit groups.
Caulk supported reduced rates for groups like the Boy Scouts.
Shogren supported allowing non-profits free use, provided they are not charging for services.
Rates for non-profits will be discussed again at a later date, after the city’s community center task force has reviewed the issue.
CATERING SERVICES
Only one caterer will be allowed to operate out of the community center kitchen.
The city will solicit requests for proposals (RFPs) and select one caterer from those.
This is being done at the request of the military, noted Woulfe, who prefer that one company be allowed to use the equipment they have provided. Guard representatives also pointed out that they are required to adhere to strict guidelines and random cleanliness checks. The Guard is also worried about how many people will have keys to the community center.
Another pro for using only one caterer is that this company will be responsible for taking an inventory of kitchen supplies (cups, plates, silverware, etc.) to make sure nothing is missing, said Woulfe.
The community center task force unanimously supported the decision to work with only one caterer.
Council member Dave Schornstein noted his concern about creating a monopoly. “Someone could charge anything they want,” he said.
Woulfe pointed out that any caterer who wishes to submit an RFP must provide menus, sample pricing and references. This is being done so the city can evaluate whether they are charging reasonable rates.
RFPs are due via mail at city hall by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 10.