Free workshop/compost bin South Philadelphia PA Oct. 18th

**"Banbor, Marianne" B*@excen.library.phila.gov**

Hi.  I'm trying to get the news out to all interested South Philadelphia,
PA, gardeners about our upcoming program at the South Philadelphia Branch
Library, 1700 S Broad St (corner of Broad & Morris) on Oct. 18th, at 3 p.m.
Participants (must be Philadelphia residents) will get a free composting bin
worth $85.00 by attending the free workshop and signing a pledge to compost.
(Bins are limited and will be available until the supply runs out--first
callers to register get them.)  Please get the word out to interested local
gardeners and have them call 215-686-5444 register. Full details follow.
There's free parking in the lot behind the branch that day.

Thank you,
Marianne Banbor 
Library Supervisor 
South Philadelphia Branch Library 
1700 S Broad Street 

CITY OF PHILADELPHIA 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:          
Philadelphia, September 30, 2003 

Contact: 
Cynthia Hite, City of Philadelphia, Streets Department, 215-686-5088 

City's Recycling through Composting Program 
Announces Free Saturday Workshop in South Philadelphia, 
with Khmer Translation Available 

Philadelphia Gardeners Divert Tons of Organic Waste from Landfills 
The City of Philadelphia Streets Department is pleased to invite residents
to the following free composting workshop: 
·       South Philadelphia - Saturday, October 18th, 1:30 p.m. 
South Philadelphia Branch Library, 1700 South Broad Street 

Training programs are about two hours in length.  After completing the
workshop, Philadelphia residents are urged to join the Recycling through
Composting Team. Participants may pledge to compost yard waste and report on
materials diverted from their household waste stream.  The signed pledge
form entitles the household to one home compost bin worth approximately $85.
Residents interested in attending a compost-training workshop must
pre-register by calling (215) 686-5444.  Anyone is welcome to attend as a
guest and receive training and a manual, but only pre-registered
Philadelphia residents presenting appropriate identification - whose
households have not previously received a bin - will be eligible to receive
a back yard composter.  If demand exceeds supply, priority will be given to
the earliest registrants.

The Recycling Office, recognizing the diversity of our community, is pleased
to be able - with the assistance of a bilingual Librarian - to offer
translation into Khmer at this workshop for those Cambodian-American
residents who might find it helpful.  The October 18th session will also be
the only one this fall not being held on a Wednesday evening. 

"We thank the enthusiastic members of the Recycling through Composting Team
whose commitment to this environmentally sound program has helped to make it
a growing success.  We hope to welcome at least 500 new households into the
program this year," says David B. Robinson, City of Philadelphia Recycling
Coordinator.  "Why throw away leaves and clippings, when you can turn them
into a valuable resource?" Holmesburg Librarian Catherine Huntzberry, who
composts in her garden, says, "I consider it black gold."

more 
Philadelphia's gardeners, as they rake up fall leaves and prepare their
yards for winter, can build compost piles to improve the soil in their
gardens and at the same time save landfill space.  According to reports from
team members, each household that joins the Recycling through Composting
Team diverts an average of 500 pounds of yard waste per year from the waste
stream.  The City's Recycling through Composting Program provides
Philadelphia residents with free training about urban composting, including
an introduction to worm farming for those who don't have outdoor space.
Thanks to the support of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Protection, the City can make backyard compost bins available to
participants at no charge.  

The City of Philadelphia Streets Department is pleased to be partnering with
neighborhood facilities of the Free Library of Philadelphia in extending the
Recycling through Composting Program to the public.

Individuals, community gardens and environmentally concerned organizations
interested in learning more about this program should call (215) 686-5444.
A recording is available on that line 24 hours a day, which details the full
schedule.  Program information will also be available on the Streets
Department's web site at www.phila.gov/streets and on the City's Government
Access Cable Channel 64.

#   #   # 

______________________________________________________
The American Community Gardening Association listserve is only one of ACGA's services to community gardeners. To learn more about the ACGA and to find out how to join, please go to http://www.communitygarden.org

To post an e-mail to the list:  community_garden@mallorn.com

To subscribe, unsubscribe or change your subscription:  https://secure.mallorn.com/mailman/listinfo/community_garden