In 2010, we are celebrating the 40th anniversary of the first Earth Day.  Check out the schedule and see what you can do -- lots of spring cleaning to do!  You can go splash down to the Rahway River and enjoy Maplewood's natural beauty while you help keep it that way.  Clean out your aging files and go to the shred-a-thon!  Have a drink and meet new people at Green Drinks, go to Maplewood Library and hear about Organic Gardening, learn how to compost, regenerate the forest, help out the Green Team energy conservation group.  There are loads of opportunities.  See the details below.

Earth Week 2010

Monday, April 12th 9:00 am -- Tree Planting Maple tree generously donated by Pleasantdale Nurseries in West Orange -- from last Green Day  -- will be planted in Memorial Park, behind Memorial Library and across the stream.  

Saturday, April 17th, 9-11:30 am  -- Village Alliance Spring Planting and Cleanup  Sponsored by Valley National Bank.  Volunteers wanted to help plant spring flowers in our flowerpots in Downtown Maplewood Village. Please bring gardening tools and gloves. We'll have the flowers and soil. Welcome spring by helping to beautify our lovely Village.  A volunteer clean up will also be held that morning. Scout, school and church groups are welcome.  For more information, contact Julie Doran at 973-762-4566.

Saturday, April 17 10:00 am - noon -- Home energy conservation literature distribution  DeHart Community Center.  The Green Team energy conservation group needs help distributing information on the attractive NJ Clean Energy programs to provide financial support for households that take energy conservation measures.  There are excellent programs to provide financial help and advice on ways that almost all Maplewood households can reduce their energy waste but too few people know about them and take advantage of them.  The Hilton and Lightning Brook neighborhoods will be the focus on this morning.  Just show up at the DeHart Community Center at 10:00 am or contact money4energy@gmail.com for more information.

Sunday, April 18, 9:30-noon Forest Regeneration Corps.  Join the South Mountain Conservancy for its first activity of the year.  Remove invasive plants, and plant native plants.  Meet at Wildflower and Forest Preserve at dog park parking lot off Crest Drive.  Long pants recommended.  Water and gloves provided.  All ages welcome. Call Tricia Zimic to see if poor weather will cancel at 973-650-6106.

Monday April 19th, 7:30 p.m.  -- Green Drinks Steve Tesoriero of Renewable Resource Systems will speak about home energy efficiency.  Learn how to take advantage of Clean Energy programs and save money on your energy bill!  O’Reilly’s Bar and Grill, 2208 Millburn Avenue.  Friend us on Facebook.  Or go to the Green Drinks page.  

Wednesday, April 21, 7-9 pm at Memorial Library (downstairs)  

-- Organic Gardening Lecture given by Jan Zientek, Essex County Master Gardener Coordinator. 

Saturday, April 24, 10 am -- Composting Workshop Virginia Lamb Falconer will lead a composting workshop at the Recycling Center, 359 Boyden Ave.  Learn how to turn your household waste into valuable fertilizer while reducing your trash.  For more information, contact virginialamb1@yahoo.com. 

Saturday, April 24, 8 am-noon -- Shred-a-thon Event  Clear out your old financial and personal records.  Bring your old papers and watch them get shredded on the spot.  At the Recycling Center, 359 Boyden Ave.  For more information, contact Diane Thomson at diane@creativeorganizing.biz. 

Saturday April 24th, 10 am-12 noon -- Rahway River Cleanup  Come help clean up Rahway River.  Meet at Memorial Park off Dunnell Road near the walking bridge to get an assignment to help clean up the Rahway River.  

Saturday April 24th, Noon-5 pm  Look for the Environmental Advisory Committee table at Maplewood Village’s Spring Open Market.  For more information, contact Julia Doran at 973-762-4566.