Post Holiday Smiles in Chicago

When I woke up this morning the first thing I said to my husband was, I can't believe the holidays area already over! Wow! That went by so fast! We had our quieter than usual New Year celebrations that were the best ever. We gathered with close friends and toasted the end of 2008 with relish! Not a year we were sad to see go! We are putting on our best optimistic faces for this new year. Our world is more aware than ever of global stresses, so this will be a year where we will see hands stretch out to work together. Our new president will take office and will bring with him much needed changes. The auto industry will be forced to become more in tune with out current ecological and economic needs. Retool! America must get it's act together, hold our heads up and rebuild. It's time to look into our own lives and see what we can do to improve our lives and those around us.

The city of Chicago encourages green living by requiring residential buildings to participate in recycling programs. We have a green roof initiative here. We have a smoking ban in all restaurants, pubs and public buildings. Like many other eco-friendly cities, Chicago also has a recycling program for Christmas trees. You may be over the holidays, but that tree still needs to come down. You don't want to be one of those people that still have the tree up on Valentine's Day!

Alderman Reilly of the 42nd Ward, which covers the Gold Coast, Streeterville, River North, Old Town and some of the Loop and South Loop neighborhoods has this information to share with us.

Christmas Tree Recycling Program

Please do not throw your Christmas trees into landfills--- recycle them instead! The Department of Streets and Sanitation will be recycling trees at many locations throughout Chicago, including the following near the 42nd Ward:
Grant Park, 900 South Columbus Drive
Lincoln Park, Cannon Drive at Fullerton (parking lot east of Cannon Drive)

These drop-off tree recycling centers will be open from Saturday, January 3 through Friday, January 16. Trees will be chipped and turned into mulch to be used in City and residential landscaping projects-- free bagged mulch will be available to residents to pick up beginning Friday, January 9th.

Please also remember to recycle your used gift wrap and boxes! For more information about recycling in Chicago, please visit www.chicagorecycles.org, the Chicago Department of Environment website.

We may have a below zero degree day or three, but we love our city! As we all know, it takes an entire village to raise a child. It takes this grand city and all of our citizens to keep Chicago as beautiful and progressive as it is. Just don't google "Blogojevich!"

Happy new year everyone!