APRIL IS FULL OF EARTH DAY EVENTS

April is filled with Earth Day events and activities in Solano County. I will list a few below. The easiest way to find out where to go and what to do is to go to the new Solano County website: www.recycle-guide.com.

www.recycle-guide.com is the paperless version of the Solano County Recycling Guide. Residents can click on their city and find local recycling and environmental events. One more click will bring viewers to the residential recycling page where choices range from curbside recycling to getting rid of household hazardous waste. Each city’s recycling coordinator, recycling company and trash company are easily accessed and web sites and email addresses are linked for the user. The Solano County Local Task Force for Integrated Waste Management (LTF) has sponsored this site. Future plans for the website include a commercial recycling section and a myriad of reuse options. Please add it to your favorite sites along with www.VALCORErecycling.org.

MOWER EXCHANGE - April 6

This year there will be no long lines at 6 am in the morning to exchange your gas mower for an electric one. Solano County residents can pre-register and pre-pay to get a cordless electric mulching mower. The website, www.mowerexchange.org will be open on Tuesday, April 6 at 1:00 pm. This year they are offering a Black & Decker mower for $299 plus tax after rebates. This event is sponsored by local air quality districts, LTF, California Integrated Waste Management Board and others.

TIRE RECYCLING DAY - April 17

If you have old tires in your backyard collecting water (which is a breeding ground for mosquitoes) you can recycle them for free. Residents are allowed to bring a total of five passenger/light truck tires but they must pre-register. Only the first 300 callers will be able to recycle their tires. No businesses are allowed. Residents need to call Vallejo Code Enforcement at 648-5526 to receive a voucher for the event. This free recycling event is funded by a grant from the California Integrated Waste Management Board.

LESS-TOXIC GARDENING AND COMPOSTING CLASS - April 22

Want to learn how to make your yard healthier? Come to YardBirds (66 Admiral Callaghan Lane) on April 22 at 10:00 a.m. I will teach a composting class. Annie Joseph, a California Certified Nursery Professional, will be on stage at 11:00 am to help you keep a healthy balance of good bugs in your garden by using less-toxic products. A composting bin and bucket of less-toxic products will go to two lucky participants. Free samples will also be given away. Call 644-8949 x268 for more information.

EARTH DAY AT VALLEJO’S FARMERS MARKET - April 24

This is our eleventh year celebrating Earth Day at the downtown market. We will be there rain or shine with a host of local and bay area participants.

This year, Joe Bates will give tours of the solar panels on top of City Hall. Experts will be on hand to talk about composting, carpooling, less-toxic gardening, water conservation, and saving energy. Participants can pick up information about Loma Vista Farm, the city tree department, local naval history, the National Forests, air quality, recycling, and hiking. Children can participate in several recycling activities including making scrap art. Turn-Around Products will sell recycled and organic items and the CA Native Plant Society will have native plants for sale.

Six Flags Marine World will again bring their educational animals to the event. Music will be provided by the Recycled Generation with John Kolarik, Dave Froelich, Dave Rosenback and special guest Bobby Simmons singing “Georgia Street Still on My Mind.”

We have space for more participants. Please call 645-8258 or register online at www.VALCORErecycling.org.

E-WASTE RECYCLING EVENT - April 24

Pack up all your old TVS, Computers, telephones, hair dryers, microwaves and bring them to Vallejo’s second free E-Waste event. The location is at Vallejo Garbage Service (2021 Broadway) from 9 am to 4 pm. This event is open to Vallejo residents and businesses. This year, there will be an exchange table for unwanted, reusable electronic items. For more information, call 648-5346 or www.recycle-guide.com.

VALCORE Recycling Vice President Jane Bogner's "A Sorted Affair" is published every other week in the Times-Herald, Community Outlook Section. For recycling information call Genie Kaggerud, VALCORE Recycling manager at 645-8258 or visit www.VALCORErecycling.org.