Recycle Christmas trees
Philadelphia’s Residential Christmas Tree Recycling Program will begin on Monday, Jan. 4, and continue through Saturday, Jan. 16. The Streets Department’s Sanitation Division created the annual program 27 years ago to provide citizens with an environmentally beneficial option for the disposal of used trees.
Citizens may drop off their used Christmas trees at any of six Sanitation Convenience Centers, which are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Saturday. The locations include State Road and Ashburner Street in Holmesburg.
There will also be 23 designated drop-off locations throughout the city on Jan. 9 and 16 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. including Castor Avenue and Foulkrod Street, 1400 Cottman Ave. (Jardel Rec), 2901 Princeton Ave. (Mayfair Rec), 7901 Ridgeway Ave. (Fox Chase Rec), 8101 Bustleton Ave., 2900 Comly Road (Palmer Playground) and 7231 Torresdale Ave. (Russo Park).
Trees should be free of all decorations and untied. Those with decorations cannot be recycled.
In addition to recycling the entire tree, residents may dispose of trees using the following tips:
• Small pine limbs and needles are good winter mulch material for sensitive plants.
• Trees can be used for backyard compost.
• Trees should not be burned in a fireplace. The sap from the tree can coat the chimney with creosote, which can cause a fire. It also creates foul odors.
• Some civic associations offer additional drop-off locations. Check with your local civic association for its tree recycling program.
For households that cannot participate in the tree recycling program, trees may be placed at the curb on the scheduled trash collection day. Trees will not be recycled. They will be sent to a trash-to-energy plant just as all rubbish collected at the curb.
Tree recycling is open to residents who are eligible for city-collected trash and recycling services. Vendors must dispose of their discarded trees privately. Visit www.philadelphiastreets.com/holiday or call 215–686–5560 for information. ••
Learn Tai chi at Glen Foerd
The next session of Tai Chi for Beginners at Glen Foerd on the Delaware will begin on Monday Jan. 4. The registration deadline is Saturday, Jan. 2.
Tai chi reduces stress, improves muscle tone and helps control blood pressure. Participants may reap the benefits regardless of age and fitness level. Instructor Frank Shiery has 25 years of experience in the discipline and was recently nominated Master of the Year by the United Martial Arts Association.
Participants should wear loose clothing and sneakers. Each session includes 10 classes.
Each class starts at 7:30 p.m.
The cost is $150 for non-members of Glen Foerd or $130 for members. Call 215–632–5330 or visit www.glenfoerd.org to register. ••
Free program for dropouts
JEVS Project World of Work is recruiting for its class starting Jan. 6.
Project WOW classes are held at Orleans Technical College, 2770 Red Lion Road.
The 24-week program is free to high school dropouts ages 18–24 residing in Philadelphia.
Students gain hands-on career training in weatherization and property maintenance/repair — such as basic skills in carpentry, plumbing and electrical.
Project WOW also includes GED preparation (test fees paid for by the program); professional development at the end of the program for students to work on developing a résumé and interviewing skills; and in-house job search assistance with a JEVS employment specialist.
For more information about the program and eligibility requirements, call 215–728–4212 or apply online at www.jevshumanservices.org/project-wow ••
