Its 2012 and by now one of your New Years resolutions should really be to have your Christmas tree cleared of tinsel and taken down by the time you read this, on or around Jan. 6.
But for those hanging on to the holidays until the very last second, you can still find places to have your live tree chipped into oblivion this weekend and given a second life as garden mulch or pressed-board furniture. That makes much more sense than dumping it in an alley or park.
Jan. 7 and 8
Tree chipping takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. this Saturday and Sunday at several locations, including the Kerrisdale Community Ice Rink parking lot at the corner of East Boulevard and West 41st Avenue, Kitsilano Beach parking lot at the corner of Cornwall Avenue and Arbutus Street, Sunset Beach upper parking lot on Beach Avenue at Broughton and the RONA Home and Garden Grandview store, 2727 East 12th Ave. The RONA location is a replacement site for an event previously scheduled for Trout Lake Community Centre.
As well, you can set live trees out on the same day your regular yard trimmings are collected and city workers will whisk them away for free until Jan. 31. Do not bag or bundle your tree, which should be laid out on its side at least one metre away from your garbage cart. The Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»South Transfer Station and Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Landfill will also accept trees at no charge until Jan. 31.
Jan. 7
Britannia Secondary School is hosting a post-holiday bottle drive, which includes a drop-off location at its tennis courts.
Proceeds from the drive will help support the Britannia Senior Band. Volunteers from the school will pick up empties on the citys East Side. The school will accept all refundable containers. For pick-up call 604-209-4625 or email [email protected]. The school is located off Commercial Drive at Napier Street and the tennis courts are located at the base of the Britannia parking lot.
Jan. 11
Anyone interested in supporting newcomers living on the citys West Side is invited to join the Kitsilano Neighbourhood House Community Networking Table, which is meeting from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Jan. 11 at International House, 200-1215 West Broadway.
Come together with diverse community members and service providers to share resources, raise community awareness and
increase the profile of newcomer needs and services on the West Side. Visit kitshouse.org or call 604-736-3588 for more information. Kits House is also offering free computer tutorials for residents who want to learn to use the Internet or have questions, such as how to use email. Call 604-736-3588 to book a free appointment.
Jan. 12
The Kerrisdale Senior Singers is starting another season and is looking for singers 55 or older to join this group of fun-loving, hard working volunteers.
The new session starts Jan. 12 at 9:30 a.m. at the Kerrisdale Seniors Centre, West Boulevard and West 43rd Avenue, and continues every other Thursday at the same time. For more information call choir director Marilyn at 604-876-8666.
Twitter: @sthomas10
