Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, May 1, 1995 TAG: 9505030014
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: CATHRYN MCCUE
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Last month, more than 1,000 of you volunteered to go out one Saturday morning and pick up garbage around your neighborhoods, parks and riverbanks. And, thanks to you, there's 50 tons less litter messing up the Roanoke Valley.
The annual Clean Valley Day was once again a rip-roaring success, said Ann Masters, executive director of Clean Valley Council, which sponsors the event. Pound for pound, the 34 volunteers in Botetourt County hauled in the most trash, at approximately 647 pounds each.
In Salem, the Holiday Inn was so pleased to have its area cleaned up by the Little Brushy Neighborhood Team, it offered help and breakfast for the group.
Vinton awarded cash prizes for its top litter-picker-uppers. Boy Scout Troop 3 won $150, William Byrd Middle School won $100, and the Vinton Police Cadets won $50.
Float Fishermen and employees of Blue Ridge Outdoors tackled the Roanoke River in Salem, wading in the river to retrieve garbage.
The council is planning a River Clean Up in September. Call Masters at 345-5523 to sign up.
EXPLORE EVENTS
May 6: Gardening with heirloom seeds workshop. Learn where heirloom seeds come from, their histories and how to grow them yourself. 1-4 p.m.
May 6: Blacksmith workshop. Learn how to work a forge, heat and work metal, and then produce a heavy meat fork. 10 a.m. -12:30 p.m.
May 20: Quilting workshop. Learn the evolution of quilting and try your hand at it.
May 21: Native American fingerweaving workshop. Learn the Chevron weaving technique used into the colonial period.
All workshops are $4 for adults, $2.50 for students. Call 427-1800 to register.
EPA TOLL FREE HOTLINE
The Environmental Protection Agency Region III, which covers Virginia, has set up a toll-free line to answer questions from the public.
The line will be staffed from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays. A voice-mail system will take messages after hours and someone will return calls the following day. The staff is aiming to answer all questions within 24 hours.
The number is 1-800-438-2474.
(The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality also recently set up a toll-free line for citizens with questions about environmental issues in Virginia: 1-800-592-5482.)
REMEMBERING RUBY
The Roanoke Valley's beloved Siberian tiger turns eight on May 7, and everyone is invited to her party at the Mill Mountain Zoo, 2-4 p.m. Enjoy a piece of birthday cake, while it lasts, compliments of Harris Teeter.
The zoo will also be recognizing "adoptive parents" of the zoo's other animals, and announcing winners of the art contest of drawings by 8-year-olds.
NOT IN MY BACKYARD!
Just say "No" to lawn chemicals, advises American Public Information on the Environment, a non-profit group in Connecticut.
There's growing national interest in restoring the American lawn - all 30 million acres of it - to its natural state, the group says. Most lawns are treated with an array of fertilizers and pesticides, which can seep into water supply and pose a health risk to fish, birds, animals and humans.
American PIE has a toll-free number to provide clear, practical information about environmentally safe practices for home, office, lawn and garden. The number is 1-800-320-APIE (2743), and is staffed from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.
by CNB