In this issue:
- Celebrate Earth Day In Lawrence Kansas!
- Stormwater Pollution
- Celebrate Earth Day every day
- 41st Anniversary of the Fair Housing Act Community Fair
- Safe BBQ Grilling
- Frequently Asked Questions
Celebrate Earth Day In Lawrence Kansas!
Learn about recycling, composting, waste reduction, alternative fuel vehicles and fuels, energy conservation, wildlife and habitat preservation and more. This year’s Earth Day features the April Showers to Water Towers: a Water Festival with fun, educational activities about watersheds, stormwater pollution, erosion and water quality.
The Earth Day Celebration highlights the importance of responsible environmental policies. “We want to raise awareness about each person’s impact on the natural environment, and emphasize that environmentalism isn’t just about recycling, but includes waste reduction a well as many other eco-minded choices,“ said Daniel Poull, Chair of the city’s Sustainability Advisory Board.
The Lawrence Transit System will offer free rides all day Saturday, April 18, on all fixed routes – demonstrating the experience and the benefits of public transportation. For more info, visit www.lawrencetransit.org, or call 312-7054.
Earth Day Activities
Saturday, April 18
• 11am – 11:30am: Earth Day Parade location: starts at Buford Watson Park, travels Massachusetts to South Park
• 11:30am – 4pm: Earth Day Celebration location: South Park, near gazebo
• 11:30am – 4pm: April Showers to Water Towers: a Water Festival for Douglas County Location: South Park, near gazebo
• All day, Free rides on the T For a complete list of Earth Day activities and events, visit www.LawrenceRecycles.org.
Earth Day 2009
What: 9th Annual Lawrence Earth Day Celebration: live music,
food and children’s activities
When: Saturday, April 18
11:30am – 4pm
Where: South Park
Cost: Free
Stormwater Pollution
What you can do to help
Why is stormwater pollution an issue?
Communities produce pollutants that are washed into rivers and streams by stormwater runoff. Pollutants like, oil, pet waste, yard waste, gas, antifreeze, fertilizers, salt, pesticides and trash from businesses and homes change the biological and chemical composition of the water, making an unhealthy environment for aquatic organisms, wildlife and humans.
What YOU can do to help?
- Don’t litter or pitch cigarettes on the ground
- Wash your car in the grass or a covered carwash station
- Don’t over apply lawn chemicals
- Don’t over water your lawn
- Don’t dump anything except water into a storm drain
- Sweep your garage and driveway into a dustpan rather than the street
Celebrate Earth Day every day
3 easy steps to reduce waste all year long:
1. take reusable bags when you go shopping instead of getting paper or plastic
2. use a reusable water bottle and fill from the tap instead of buying bottled water
3. always take good unwanted items to a thrift store instead
of throwing away
41st Anniversary of the Fair Housing Act
Community Fair
Tenants, new and experience, and homebuyers can learn about fair housing from experts and community agencies during an informational fair on Satuday, April 25 from 10 am to 2 pm a the Lawrence Arts Center, 940 New Hampshire.
The fair is free and open to the public. Fair housing experts available on April 25, include: the Housing and Urban Development, Landlord Tenants Association, Housing & Credit Counseling, Legal Services for Students, Housing Services Specialists, Lawrence Housing Authority, Bert Nash, Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical, Health Care Access, Pelathe Center and Vermont Towers.
Safe BBQ Grilling
Gas and charcoal grills can pose a fire risk
The Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical Department offers sensible outdoor grilling tips:
Selecting the area
- Position grill well away from siding, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches. A good rule is at least 10 feet away from combustibles.
- Place grill a safe distance from lawn games, play areas and foot traffic.
- Declare the entire grill area a “kid-free zone” until the grill has completely cooled off. Starting the grill
- If you have a charcoal grill, purchase the proper charcoal lighter fluid. Using other combustible liquids is extremely dangerous.
- Store starter fluid outside and out of reach of children and away from heat sources.
Finished Grilling
- Keep an eye on the grill until it has completely cooled. Coals can sometimes remain hot for days.
- • Charcoal – soak with water to speed the cooling process, but use extreme caution to avoid steam and splatters, which can cause burns.
Apartments
- On a wooden balcony or deck, use an electric grill.
- City code prohibits gas or charcoal grilling on combustible apartment balconies.
- Storing a charcoal grill is acceptable, but using on a balcony is not permitted.
- Storing a gas grill with a LP-gas container is not permitted on any balcony. The gas cylinder poses risks for ignition of a fire or explosion.
Frequently Asked Questions
I’m having difficulty paying my rent. What affordable housing resources are there in Lawrence?
The Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority offers affordable housing options, including apartments, duplexes, and senior independent living communities. The LDCHA also provides a rent assistance payment to private landlords on behalf of low-income tenants as part of the Section 8 program. Rent payment is a percentage of income and applicants must be income eligible.
To see if you qualify, visit www.ldcha.org.
Applications for assistance are taken year-round. Applicants on the waiting list will be offered the first form of assistance available. Short waiting lists exist for senior independent living communities and public housing apartments (for individuals and families). For rent assistance vouchers under the Section 8 program, the waiting list is upwards of eighteen months.