INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Before cleaning your fountain, it's best to turn it off and take the pump out to make cleaning easier. You can also remove any items in the fountain, such as large rocks.  Always check your manual before cleaning, as different fountains may require different cleaning methods.  Before you take out the pump, you can connect a hose to it and use it to pump the water out of the fountain into a bucket or outside. For smaller fountains, you can just dump the water out. For larger fountains, a shop vac may be easier to remove the water from the fountain. If the fountain is small, it may be easiest to bring it into a sink to clean. If it's larger, you'll need to clean it outside. A toothbrush or other soft brush is perfect for this purpose. Use a mild soap such as dishwashing soap or even CLR to clean the fountain.  If your fountain is copper, make sure you only use a very soft rag on it. Keep going until the fountain is clean. If you are having trouble removing algae, you can buy products specifically made for breaking down algae. Consider wiping the fountain down with a mild bleach solution to help keep new growth from happening. If you encounter any filters that look dirty, clean or replace them. Clean smaller fountains more often (once a month) and larger fountains less often (every other month or so). In a sink, unscrew the side of the pump that comes off, which should show you the impeller. You can use the same brush you used on the fountain to clean the impeller. Get all the debris out you can, and then replace the pump in the fountain. If your fountain has hard water buildup, use a special product to help remove it, such as CLR. You can also use a mixture of half white vinegar, half water. Let the fountain soak in the solution, and then scrub it again with a gentle brush or sponge. Use a dry rag to wipe off any leftover solution before you fill the fountain with new water.

SUMMARY: Turn off the fountain. Drain the water out of the fountain. Scrub the fountain. Clean the pump. Descale the fountain.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: YMCA staff take prospective members on guided tours of the site and can answer all membership questions. Services vary from one facility to another, so be sure to ask about programs of special interest to you. The YMCA provides flexible membership terms for adults, seniors, and families. Members can upgrade or cancel their plan at any time and also enjoy drop-in privileges with on-site fitness classes.  Full fitness centers with free weights, exercise machines, and the use of stationary bikes, treadmills and stair-steppers are included in all membership plans. Additional amenities include all-day pool access, with the option of swimming lessons, use of the gymnasium, and other activity courts. For members with children, day-care plans, including before (and after) school programs, are available at the YMCA. Specialty programs ranging from CPR instruction to classes on nutrition and emotional well-being are also available at the YMCA. Drop-in privileges allow members to participate in special activities at designated times. Enroll in a basic plan and get access to most of your local YMCA facilities. This is the most commonly chosen membership plan.  Gym members that fall underneath the youth membership category (6-17), the young adult category (18-25) and the adult membership category (26-64) have use of all the facilities and are granted membership rates for appropriate programs. A family/household is considered two adults (26-64) with or without dependent children under the age of 25 that live together in one household. With one adult membership, two more adults can be included in the membership for an additional $10 per person. Other membership categories include single-parent family and senior citizens (ages 65 and up). Standard applications include completing a membership application, a PAR-Q (physical activity readiness questionnaire for ages 15-69), a liability waiver, a member engagement survey, and a monthly payment form (either for a credit card or a checking account).  Photographs will be taken of members at the time of application and fee payment. If you submit your application and fee electronically, pictures will be taken on the first visit.  When you first enroll, bring a valid picture ID and a voided check to set up an automatic monthly bank draft. After you've decided on what membership level is best for you, you can pay your YMCA dues and start using the facilities. There is no contract. All new members must pay a sign-up fee in addition to monthly dues.  YMCA dues can vary but are similar at most locations. Fees are based on the member's age and membership group: young adult (14-28), adult (29-64), senior (65 and older), adult with dependent children, and husband and wife with children. For youth (0-12), rates range between $15-$25. For young adults (18-25), rates range between $30-$55. For adults (26-60), rates range between $55-$70. For seniors (60+), rates range between $50-$55.

SUMMARY: Visit your local YMCA and see if its facilities will meet your needs. Decide what membership plan is best for you. Compare and contrast the benefits that come with each membership plans. Fill out an Application for YMCA Membership. Pay your membership fee.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: If you are experiencing eye strain which is severely uncomfortable or affecting your vision, step immediately away from your computer and any bright lights.  If possible, go outdoors into natural light.  Alternately, dimming the lights indoors and giving yourself a break from all bright lights may feel comforting. If you need glasses but don't have them, or if your glasses aren't the right prescription, this can increase eye strain. Make sure you've got the right prescription so your eyes don't have to work any harder than necessary.  If you wear bifocals, you may tilt your head at an awkward angle when using your computer. Talk to your optometrist to see if progressive lenses may work better. Computer glasses can be helpful, but an eye doctor must prescribe them. They work by reducing the amount of effort required by eyes to focus, thus reducing eye strain.  In addition, purchasing lenses with an anti-reflective coating will help cut down on computer glare. There are plain, nonprescription lenses with this coating available for those who don't need vision correction. Look into glasses with tinting that is specific to computer use.  Some glasses are tinted a soft pink, which helps with glare, while others have a coating which blocks the blue wavelength known to cause eyestrain. If your symptoms get worse or do not go away, ask someone to call a doctor for immediate medical help.  If eye strain is an ongoing problem for you; it's probably a good idea to see a doctor as soon as possible. You may need an eye exam to make sure that you are wearing the correct prescription of eyeglasses. You may need to change to bifocals or another type of eyeglass to reduce this problem. It is also possible you are having a migraine, which is a type of a severe headache you can treat medically. It is also important to diagnose so you can learn what can trigger these migraines. This can help you prevent them.

SUMMARY:
Take a break. Get some glasses. See a doctor.