New Year's Recycling Resolutions: Computers, Phone Books, Packing Pellets...
Dear Neighbors,

If you received a new computer for Christmas, it's easy to recycle your old one.

Drop Off: At no charge, take your unwanted computer to any Goodwill location in Austin.

Curbside Pickup: For a $10 fee, schedule your computer to be picked up from your home by calling 1-866-48-REUSE (1-866-487- 3873). You must live within the Austin city limits to schedule a pickup.

Thanks for participating!

(Ms. Daywood is volunteer coordinator for the 4500-4600 blocks of Ave. B in the city's recycling program)

Editor's ps: Computers aren't the only things that neighhbors can and should recycle. Instead of sending your old phone books to the landfill, you can recycle them at Ecology Action's hq at 707 E. 9th (at the corner of the frontage road directly East of I-35), 322-5139. And if you received any Xmas packages that were stuffed with those infernal foam packing pellets which blow all over the place, and NEVER decompose, you can take them out to Austin Homebrew at 8023-B Burnet Rd, 467-8427.

O n the evening of Saturday, 15 January at 7:30 pm, enjoy a musical foray into the natural world when the Austin Chamber Ensemble presents the world premier of John Lampkin's Migrations. New York composer Lampkin charmed Austin audiences in 2001 with his quirky, award-winning work "Insects" and in 2002 with "Love and Lunacy: Moon Songs". Now he's back with this whimsical work for woodwind quintet, which explores the migration of species as diverse as broadwing hawks and red crabs. This and other works for woodwinds promise an evening of artistic variety and fun set among the splendor of Elisabet Ney's sculpture. For ticket information, please contact the Austin Chamber Ensemble at 345-3399, or log on to www.austinchamberensemble.com.
    The Austin Chamber Ensemble was founded in 1980 to promote appreciation and understanding of chamber music through commissions, premieres, art- ist exchanges, educational presentations, and creative programming with wide appeal.

No More Ashes at ASH

T he Austin State Hospital will become a smoke-free facility effective January 3. Not only will smoking be prohibited, but also the appearance of tobacco. Possession of tobacco products on the ASH grounds (and property leased by ASH), in buildings or vehicles will be allowed only if such products are out of sight, e.g. locked in a vehicles glove compartment, or tucked away in a purse or backpack.
    The new policy, which aims to promote a healthier treatment environment and workplace, was announced by ASH CEO Carl Schock in a recent letter to HPNA. It applies to everyone: patients, staff and visitors. According to Schock, a group of ASH staff is working on ways to make the new policy a success, including nicotine replacement strategies.
    Chalk one up for the folks working for a smoke-free Austin.