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Home My WebLink AboutUBI 2009 DECEMBERHow to Stay Green this Winter CITY OF COLLEGE STATION FREE “GREEN” MINI-SEMINARS College Station Recycling will host several free “green” mini- seminars for College Station residents and students! These seminars will take place in the new Public Works Office located on the 2nd floor of the College Station Municipal Court (300 Krenek Tap Rd.) at 6 p.m. Topics and dates are as follows: Jan. 15 - “Green” Your Home or Dorm Representatives will talk to residents and students about all aspects of the home and how it can be green or eco-friendly, also touching on how eco-friendly materials do not have to be costly or something you buy. Feb. 12 - Recycling Markets and Economics Why doesn’t College Station recycle green glass or other items? Representatives from Texas A&M University, Texas Commercial Waste and others will talk about actual market rates and costs. Mar. 12 - Organic and Local Foods What is the difference and why does it Inside College Station From the City of College Station • Home of Texas A&M University • College Station, Texas College Station Recycling hopes residents keep the “green” theme in mind this winter by participating in the activities and programs listed below. ‘TIS THE SEASON TO TREE-CYCLE Continue the giving spirit by giving back to the environment! Why recycle your tree? Trees are either composted or chipped and spread throughout the parks. The chips help alleviate soil compaction caused by foot traffic, reduce soil erosion and provide nutrients to the soil. Curbside Tree Recycling -- Dec. 26 – Jan. 9 Trees must be set at the curb by 8 a.m. on your neighborhood’s brush day. Not sure what your brush day is? Call 979.764.3690 or visit cstx.gov/sanitation. Christmas Tree Drop-Off -------------- Jan. 9 You may drop off Christmas trees at Stephen C. Beachy Central Park on Jan. 9 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Please, no flocked trees, ornaments or tree stands. matter? Local farmers and grocers will talk to residents about why it is important to buy locally and how organic foods can help your health. Apr. 9 - Green Living This session will tie in with “Greening your Home or Dorm,” what you do after you have decked your home with green stuff: recycling, re-using, reducing, donating, conserving water. May 14 - Environmental Volunteering Those who need volunteers in the recycling field will be available for a meet and greet. June 11 - Meet the Professionals Visit with the area’s top professionals in recycling, sustainability and water conservation. Professionals will talk about the aspects of their job and take questions. The session will be very informal, very relaxed and very informative! To sign-up for these classes, please visit cstx.gov/recycle and click on the green mini-seminar link, or call 979.764.6228. Did You Know ... You can request start-up curbside recycling kits, bag refills and recycling bins online. College Station Recycling accepts: clear glass, brown glass, #1 & #2 plastic, aluminum cans, white paper, newspapers, magazines, and lead-acid car batteries. Learn more about College Station Recycling Services by visiting: cstx.gov/recycle December 2009 children, pointing out landmarks and safe places to go if they’re being followed or need help. If your children ride a bus, visit the bus stop with them to make sure they know which bus to take. OUT AND ABOUT Teach your children to ask permission before leaving home. Practice “what if” situations and ask your children how they would respond. “What if you fell off your bike and you needed help? Who would you ask?” For more safety tips, contact Sgt. Janice Kemp at 979.764.3624 or jkemp@cstx.gov. Be Winter Wise ––––––––– Want to know how to save some extra cash this holiday season? Here are some winter wise energy-saving tips for your household: Lower your thermostat to 68 degrees • to save on heating costs. Replace your return air filter at least • once a month. Households with pets that shed may need to replace more often. Use space heaters for only short • periods to “knock off” the chill of a room or small space. Have your heater or furnace serviced to • ensure that it is operating properly. Check weather-stripping and thresholds • on doors and windows and replace or repair when necessary. Open blinds and shades during sunny • days to take advantage of the sun’s natural heat. Close them during overcast days to hold in heat. Set your water heater • temperature at 120 degrees. For more information on these and other winter energy tips, contact the College Station Utilities Electric Services Department at 979.764.3660 or visit cstx.gov/ucs. climbing, vehicle extrication and more. If you are looking to gain first-hand knowledge of the fire department, and become a better- informed citizen, then this class is perfect for you! Participants must be at least 18 years of age and live or work in the Brazos Valley. To apply, contact Cindy Giedraitis at 979.764.3712 or cgiedraitis@cstx.gov. Child Safety Tips –––––––– The College Station Police Department would like to remind residents of some basic safety tips that are essential to the well-being of our youth. These tips, provided by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, encourage a heightened awareness about children’s safety issues. This is in no way an exhaustive list, just some helpful tips and tricks aimed at keeping your children safe. AT HOME Teach your children their full names, address, and home telephone number. Make sure you children know when and how to use 9-1-1. ON THE NET Place the family computer in a common area, rather than in a child’s bedroom. Monitor their time spent online and the Web sites they’ve visited, and establish rules for Internet use, including not posting revealing or personal information. GOING TO AND FROM SCHOOL Walk the route to and from school with your CITY OF COLLEGE ST A TION INSIDE COLLEGE STATION December 2009 • PAGE 2 Cell Phone Use in School Zones ––––––––––––––––– Recently, the College Station Police Department adopted a change in the Texas Transportation Code that addresses the use of wireless communication devices in school crossing zones. According to the new law, it is a violation for a driver to use a wireless communication device while operating a vehicle within a school crossing zone. This applies in school crossing zones at A&M Consolidated High School between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. At all other schools, it’s in effect during the times specified by lighted signs near each school. This does not apply when your vehicle is stopped. In a school crossing zone, you CAN use a cell phone using a hands-free or Bluetooth device. You CAN’T text or manually change music/applications on iPhones or other similar devices. For more information, contact Lt. Rodney Sigler at 979.764.6356 or rsigler@cstx.gov. Citizens Fire Academy –––– Every year (March - May), the College Station Fire Department invites 26 citizens to join the fire department family by participating in the Citizens Fire Academy. The academy involves 11 weeks of simulated firefighting activities, such as cardiac monitoring, hazardous material decontamination, ladder January Seminar Supper Neighborhood Services is hosting its next free monthly neighborhood seminar supper on Jan. 19 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the College Station Conference Center. Interim Police Chief Jeff Capps will talk about the new beat system along with recaps from 2009. The monthly seminar suppers are a great way for neighborhood and community leaders to get together over a meal to become more educated and informed about the community. To reserve your spot at the January supper, please R.S.V.P. to Barbara Moore at bmoore@cstx.gov or 979.764.6262.