Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, March 27, 1995 TAG: 9503280002
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CATHRYN MCCUE
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Last year, Roanoke Valley residents saved 697 trees by turning in 92,000 pounds of old phone books to be recycled. This year, the goal is 100,000 pounds - or 51,000 books. That's about one fourth of the books distributed to customers by Bell Atlantic.
The recycling drive runs March 25 through May 1, and is sponsored by the phone company, The Kroger Co., Waste Management of Virginia, WSLC and WSLQ radio stations and the Clean Valley Council.
Drop-off bins will be at Kroger stores and the council's drop-off center at Cycle Systems on Broadway.
Elementary schools are urged to make this a student project, joining with Kroger Partnership stores and parent associations. Bell Atlantic is offering prizes to two kids 12 and under who find the two oldest books, and the two kids who collect the most books.
Call 345-5523 for more information.
Greenways get going
Charles Blankenship, a retired Jefferson National Forest planner who helped develop the Mt. Rogers National Recreation Area, will present a program on creating greenways in the Roanoke Valley. The program is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Science Museum of Western Virginia, fifth floor of Center in the Square in downtown Roanoke.
Blankenship will discuss the benefits of greenways, including preserving wildlife corridors and linking communities. The program is sponsored by the Roanoke River Group of the Sierra Club.
Clean up your act
Are you dismayed by all those beer cans lodged in the bushes at your neighborhood park? Disturbed by the broken glass on the sidewalk? Disgusted by the junk down by the river?
Then discover Clean Valley Day, which will be on Saturday. From 9 a.m. to noon, volunteers all over the valley will be picking up trash and junk from parks, roadsides, stream banks and vacant lots. Clubs, churches, schools, businesses and civic groups are encouraged to join in the effort, sponsored by the Clean Valley Council and area governments.
The council will provide trash bags, and the localities will pick up the full bags left at the curb near cleanup areas. Council executive Director Ann Masters says groups can select a site or call for suggestions. (You sports-minded folks might clean up along the Tour DuPont route, she says.) Call 345-5523 for more information.
Parkway plans go public
The Blue Ridge Parkway Coalition and Roanoke County will hold a public meeting April 5 to unveil proposed plans for two developments along the scenic highway.
The coalition and county have been working with developers Len Boone and Steve Musselwhite, the National Park Service and architect Carlton Abbott to come up with design standards that will blend in with the rural setting of the parkway. Citizens are invited to attend the meeting, and ask questions. It will be held at 7 p.m. in the board of supervisors meeting room at the Roanoke County Administration Center, 5204 Bernard Drive, S.W.
Toll-free green line
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality has set up a toll-free number for citizens and businesses who need information on permits, enforcement, regulations and general environmental issues.
"The help line will direct calls to the appropriate DEQ section or region for a quick response," Director Peter Schmidt said. The calls will be received at DEQ headquarters in Richmond, and forwarded to the appropriate office.
The number is 1-800-592-54-VA.
Think global, act local
On April 17, this column will run a special Earth Day Green Scene. It will include information on upcoming local events and activities for Earth Day, which is April 22, as well as other tidbits sent in by you, the readers.
Someone you know a rabid recylcer? Have any hints on composting? Ideas on curbing energy use at home or at the office? Please send items, comments and thoughts to the address below no later than April 12. Or fax to Green Scene, 981-3318.
Oops...
Thanks to astute readers Frank O. Smith of Montvale and Don Francis of Marion, who pointed out a mistake in the last Green Scene. The Guest River Gorge is NOT in the Mt. Rogers National Recreation Area. The natural feature is located in Wise County, near Coeburn, in the Clinch Ranger District of the Jefferson National Forest.
by CNB