October Notes from Karen Goldner

1. CPR TRAINING: So many lives have been saved because someone was lucky enough to be nearby a CPR-trained person when they had a heart attack. We all think it will never happen to us, but sometimes we are wrong. The City of Fort Wayne, the American Red Cross of Northeast Indiana and many other community organizations and businesses have teamed up for a special offer to those participating in Don’t Miss a Beat, the communitywide hands-only (no breaths) CPR training offered throughout the day on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 25 at the Regional Public Safety Academy, 7602 Patriot Crossing (in Southtown Centre). Registration is available online (http://3rcpr.org/), at any Fort Wayne fire station, or at any Scott's or Kroger's store. There will be a blood drive at the same time and the Fort Wayne Police Department will be demonstrating some of their equipment. (Please note that the CPR training is for people ages 16 and over.)

2. LEAF PICK-UP STARTS OCTOBER 27: This year the City is doing two rounds of loose leaf pick-up rather than three which will save us about $200,000 and also let the Street Department get their trucks prepared for snow removal earlier. (This was a suggestion by a number of people in some of the budget meetings over the past year including Audrey Stevenson from Northside Neighborhood Association. See? Sometimes we listen.) Attached is a map with the schedule.

HINTS FOR LEAF DISPOSAL:

A: Don't rake, mulch. If you have a mulching lawnmower and not a huge number of trees, you'll save time and landfill space plus turf experts from Purdue and Michigan State have found this to be an effective practice for providing extra nutrients to your soil.

B: Save the mess and bag 'em. If you place your leaves into biodegradeable bags and call 311 (or 427-8311 if your phone system doesn't allow a 3-digit call) starting October 27, the City will come out within 2 business days to remove them. This is especially handy if the leaves in your yard are like mine and wait until the weekend after the first pick-up week to fall. No more blowing around your street for 3 weeks!

C: Same procedure as before. If you want your leaves removed by the loose leaf pick-up, please have them raked to the park strip by Sunday night of your pick-up week. If you don't have a grass strip between the sidewalk and the street, rake them as close to the sidewalk as you can on your lawn. Please do not put leaves out with your normal garbage collection. Burning leaves is illegal and is also very unhealthy for people in your neighborhood with asthma or other breathing disorders.

3. Remember the WALK FOR ANIMALS, on Sunday, October 12, 12:30 p.m. at Franke Park. This is a fundraiser for humane education and community outreach. Bring your dog! You can register at http://www.cityoffortwayne.org/images/stories/animal_control/Events/AnimalWalk_08brochure.pdf/.

4. Other environmental events:

Tire Amnesty Day
Saturday, October 4th from 9a-12pm.
Location: Citilink, 801 Leesburg Road
For more information, visit: http://www.acwastewatcher.org/

Free CFL Giveaway every Friday during October
In celebration of October being Energy Awareness Month, the City of Fort Wayne is giving away energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs every Friday from 11am to 1pm.
Oct. 3rd at City/County Building Lobby
Oct. 10th at Pontiac Library
Oct. 17th at Little Turtle Library
Oct. 24th at Dupont Library
Oct. 31st at Aboite Library
For more information, visit: http://www.cityoffortwayne.org/energy

The Good Life Show (Green Expo)
October 24-26th
The Good Life Home Show has over 200 exhibits featuring green and eco-friendly products. Discover how sustainable resources and little lifestyle changes can save you money, increase your comfort, help conserve natural resources and make your life more green. This event is free to attend (besides parking).
For more information, visit: http://www.goodlifehomeshow.com

The Great Tree Canopy Comeback - Tree Planting
Saturday, November 1st starting at 10am
McCulloch, Moody, Rockhill, Study, and Swinney Parks in Fort Wayne
Havenhurst Park in New Haven, and Fox Island in Allen County
For more information, visit: http://www.cityoffortwayne.org/energy