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Patch Picks: Ways to Celebrate Earth Day

Locals are organizing events to show us how to make the earth a better place!

Earth Day is Friday, and it’s a good time to look at how we can lessen our impact on the planet’s ecology.

For instance, keep in mind the “three R’s”: Reuse, Reduce, Recycle—in that order—before making any purchases. And if you’re looking for specific ways to make a difference this Earth Day, here are five unique events local groups and businesses have organized, happening either Friday or on future dates, because caring about the earth is not just a one-day event! 

City of Campbell 2011 Community Cleanup Event

In honor of Earth Day, the city will host its ninth annual community cleanup on Saturday, May 7.

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The cleanup will take place in four locations: , the freeway on and off ramps at Camden and Highway 17, along the railroad tracks adjacent to Winchester Boulevard at Hacienda, and graffiti at various locations in Campbell.

Volunteers should meet at John D. Morgan Park (rain or shine) at 8 a.m. where you will be given instructions and receive gloves, vests and other necessary tools.

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Refreshments will be served in the morning, and the cleanup is scheduled to end at noon with lunch for all participants. So bring a friend or the entire family and pitch in to help clean up Campbell!

Celebrate Earth Day, Easter and spring all in one fun event this Saturday at Whole Foods Market. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the activities include a visit by the Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center, which helps orphaned, injured and sick native wildlife. The center will bring two of its rescued wildlife friends—a Merlin falcon and a peregrine falcon!

Kids can paint flower pots and plant sunflower seeds with the help of , a local art studio. Space is limited, so sign up early by emailing Tina Manickam of Whole Foods. Kids will also enjoy the Easter egg hunt hosted by the Whole Foods Produce Department.

Vendor samplings will be available, and two “green bags” filled with “green goodies” will be raffled off.

The Great Cloth Diaper Change 2011

Make a change this Earth Day. A cloth diaper change, that is. In conjunction with the Great Cloth Diaper Change happening around the world, locals will meet at the to show the environmental and health benefits of using cloth diapers.

The diaper change will occur simultaneously worldwide at 9 a.m. PST. The organizers hope to set a first Guinness World Record!

Earth Day with Your Girlfriends

The Campbell Girlfriends Meetup Group hosts all kinds of fun events and activities for its members, including volunteering, meet & greet nights, potlucks, trips and more.

And this Friday evening from 6-10 p.m., the girlfriends will celebrate Earth Day with a potluck, elephant exchange game and a movie.

For the potluck, cook up a dish with all, or mostly all, organic meats, veggies, desserts, etc. Your “elephant” should be a “green” unwrapped item. And the night’s movie is King Corn.

Free Electrical Vehicle Charge Passes Available Through April

An innovative Campbell business, Coulomb Technologies, is at the cutting edge of earth-friendly technology with its electric vehicle-charging solutions. And in honor of Earth Day, Coulomb will send new EV owners a free ChargePass good for the entire month of April.

With the ChargePass, you’ll have access to the company’s ChargePoint® Network that gives you, among other things, real-time status and location of unoccupied charging stations, tracking and reporting greenhouse gas and gasoline savings, and charging status notification.

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