Lawn Mower Trade-in on Saturday!

Cut down on pollution while cutting your grass.  It's possible by switching to the right mower, and this Saturday is a great chance to make the move.

The 11th Annual Lawn Mower Trade- in Event is scheduled for May 1, 2010 in the north parking lot of the County Administration Center, 1600 Pacific Highway.  County residents who drop off their gas-powered mower will be able to purchase a Black & Decker cordless, battery-rechargeable mower, at a discounted price. 

Watch Public Service Announcement

“Save May 1st and join us in reducing air pollution by switching to an electric mower,” said County Supervisor Ron Roberts.  “You’ll get a great deal on the purchase of a new zero-emission, cordless electric lawnmower and you will be doing your part to ensure we have clean air to breathe and are reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”

By participating in this event, you can eliminate the air pollution from your gas-powered lawn mower, which emits as much air pollution in one hour as driving a car 200 miles.

“In the last decade we have provided 4,395 mowers and eliminated more than 150 tons of air pollution – equivalent to taking 175,800 automobiles off the road,” Supervisor Roberts said.

Requirements

• Photo I.D. and proof of San Diego County residency (includes cities and unincorporated area).
  (Any of the following: California Driver License, state-issued Identification Card, passport, utility bill, or your personal check that shows your local address.)
• One (1) lawn mower per household, oil and gas emptied from tank prior to arrival.
  (To recycle your oil, call Waste Management at 619-596-5100 or 760-439-2824 or City of San Diego Environmental Services 858-492-5060.)
• Lawn mower must be in proper working condition and have all appropriate parts attached.
  (Lawn mower will be inspected, and fuel will be available in the event it is necessary to verify that your mower is in working condition.)
• $99.99
  (Cash or credit card with proper I.D.)

Parking

The North parking lot will be made available to participants, using the driveway on Pacific Highway to enter. Participants may also park in the South parking lot. Parking in the North lot and half of the South lot will be free; however, the other half of the South lot is paid parking run by Ace Parking. Metered parking is also available in the surrounding area. (Meter requirements on Saturdays begin at 8 a.m.)

Note to Participants

• There is a limited number of lawn mowers that will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.  (We suggest participants arrive earlier than the 8 a.m. start time. Feel free to bring a lawn chair for your comfort while in line.)
• One lawnmower per person.
• The “Start Line” will begin at the East driveway of the North parking lot on Pacific Highway.
• Important: Please do not leave your mower unattended until you have received your Participant Number. You must be in line with your old mower before a number can be given. A number cannot be given to a fellow participant holding your place in line or keeping an eye on your mower for you.

Lawn Mower Information

We will be distributing a Black & Decker 24 volt cordless mulching lawn mower (Model CMM1200).  The rechargeable battery operates the mower for about 1-hour. The unit comes with a 2-year factory warranty. For more specifications, visit the Black and Decker website.

For more information, call (858) 586-2707



March for Babies on Saturday

Over 4,700 babies are born too soon in San Diego every year. CTN.org talked to a few parents to discuss how their premature babies impacted their lives and what we can do to help give all babies a healthy start in life. Since 2002, the County of San Diego has raised nearly $400,000 for the March of Dimes.

On Saturday at 9 a.m., the March for Babies fundraising walk will begin at Balboa Park. For information, visit the March for Babies site.

County Recycling Event Celebrates Earth Day

Wednesday's event at the County Administration Center brought in 150 pounds of single-use batteries and 12 pounds of rechargeable batteries/cell-phones. Check out this CTN.org video:

Admin Pros Cruise the Bay

More than 300 of the County's administrative professionals braved the rain and wind to cruise the Bay for today's annual luncheon put on by the Community Services Group. 

Check out the slideshow here.

And here's a quick segment by CTN.org.

New Fire Engine Protects Backcountry

Engine 7512 is a brand new fire truck purchased by the San Diego County Fire Authority and paid for with Federal stimulus money. Check out the engine's features as it makes its maiden run.

Celebrate Earth Day by Sleeping Under the Stars

The County Parks and Recreation Department is offering a free night of camping to celebrate Earth Day on Thursday.

"What better way to celebrate Earth Day than by getting outdoors?” said Parks Director Brian Albright. “Our campgrounds are places where nature converges with fresh air, clean water and beautiful landscapes, and on Earth Day it’s all free.” The campgrounds will host Earth Day events and activities. Locations include:

Agua Caliente in the Anza Borrego Desert: A popular location in the winter due to its hot springs, which feed two outdoor and one indoor pool. Wildflowers should be bursting with color in April and May. Events.
Dos Picos in Ramona: Sheltered by steep, boulder-strewn mountains and ancient oak groves, this park offers a variety of ranger-led programs, including rock painting, nature hikes, and fishing.
Guajome in Oceanside: Just minutes from the ocean, it features a small lake, miles of hiking trails and the historic Rancho Guajome Adobe, offering insight into life in the area in the 1800s.
Lake Morena in Campo: Features fishing, boating, and hiking along the Pacific Crest Trail. Events
Potrero in Potrero: Quiet solitude best describes this park, but it’s also near some adventurous places such as historic Campo and the Mexican town of Tecate. Events.
Sweetwater Summit in Bonita: Offers miles of trails for hikers, bikers and horseback riders as well as spectacular views of the Sweetwater Valley.
Vallecito in the Anza Borrego Desert: Site of the reconstructed sod Butterfield Stage Station.
William Heise in Julian: Peaceful mountain meadows provide the setting for miles of trails.

Note the following rules and guidelines for the Earth Day camping special:

1. Offer is valid for the night of April 22, 2010 only.
2. Offer applies to campsite fees only. All other fees are non-applicable.
3. Cannot be combined with any other offer.
4. Offer is non-refundable and cannot be redeemed for cash, credit or
refunds.
5. One offer per customer. Cannot be combined with any other offer,
discounts or promotional item.
6. Offer applies to individual campsites only.
7. Subject to availability and is offered on a first come first serve basis.
8. Reservations can be made in person, online or by phone. Advanced
reservation is encouraged.

To book your reservation, click here.

Protect your pets!

The County Department of Animal Service will offer a rabies vaccination, dog licensing and microchipping clinic from noon to 2:00 p.m. on Sunday April 18.  The clinic will be held at the County animal shelter at 5480 Gaines St. in San Diego.

“Get a rabies vaccination, purchase a license, a microchip, and pick up a coupon to spay or neuter your pet!” said Dawn Danielson, director of County Animal Services. 

There will be $25 coupons available to neuter male dogs, cats and rabbits, and $50 coupons to spay female dogs, cats and rabbits.  These services are available for residents who live in the County’s service area of the unincorporated county or the cities that contract with the County: San Diego, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Solana Beach, Del Mar and Santee.

Rabies vaccinations are available for dogs four months or older and cats three months or older for $6.00.  Dog licenses, which are required by law, may be purchased for one, two, or three years.

With proof of a dog license, the Department will microchip dogs for a one-time fee of $20, which includes the registration.  There is no license requirement for cats, and the Department welcomes both rabbits and cats for microchipping as well.

Owners who have failed to ever license their dog, or have allowed their dog’s license to lapse, will be offered amnesty from any late fees during the event.

For the protection of owners and their pets, dogs must be on a leash and cats and rabbits in a carrier while at the clinic.  For more information, contact the County Department of Animal Services at (619) 767-2675 or visit its Web site at www.sddac.com.

Have you given blood yet?

There's still time!

The County's blood drive is the region's third largest, after drives held by the Chargers and Comic-Con. This year's County blood drive is dedicated to County employee Juan Olmeda, who for years has helped to organize the County's drives. Olmeda was recently diagnosed with leukemia.

Take a look at this CTN.org story for more on Olmeda and the blood drive. Click here for details about the event, including dates,  locations and appointments.

Sterile Flies on the Case!

Sterilized Mediterranean fruit flies are being released in San Diego County in an effort to stop an infestation of the pest in Bonsal and Escondido.

Blood Drive Dedicated to Employee Battling Leukemia

CAO Walt Ekard donates blood while talking to Juan Olmeda, an employee who received blood during leukemia treatments.

County employee Juan Olmeda has always encouraged employees to donate blood in his role as a blood drive coordinator, organizing events at more than 100 County sites over the past four years. Now he knows firsthand the impact it can have on someone’s life, after receiving donated blood during his treatment for leukemia.

“I have always told people it is important, but now I feel very lucky, very blessed, because of what has happened to me,” said Olmeda.

Olmeda is a border health assistant with the Health and Human Services Agency. He was diagnosed with leukemia in November. He will again need blood transfusions when he has a bone marrow transplant later this year. The County’s 26^th annual blood drive is dedicated to Olmeda, and he helped kick off the event by greeting donors and handing out refreshments at the County Administration Center.

Supervisor Greg Cox was the first to roll up his sleeve. He is a lifelong donor who has made more than 120 donations over the years.

“This has always been a very special event. We are able to help save lives in our community, including one of our own employees who uses blood as part of his treatment,” said Supervisor Greg Cox, District 1.

Walt Ekard joined dozens of other employees on the first day of the month-long County blood drive. It will take place at 24 sites throughout the County in April. Click here for details about the event, including dates,  locations and appointments.

The County blood drive is one of the San Diego Blood Bank’s largest and most successful collection events. Employees donated 600 pints at last year’s event, and organizers hope to surpass that number this year.