Public works still putting in time picking up after storm

The storm of Aug. 23 is now history, hopefully, for most of us. We are getting back to our daily lives while filing insurance claims and lamenting the loss of so many majestic trees as we trek to and from work or run errands.

But for the men and women of the Mount Prospect public works department, the storm is not yet history. They are still out picking up storm-damaged branches and, in the most severe cases, cutting down the ruined trees.

Two weeks after the fact, they are still dealing with the worst storm to hit this area in many years.

Pass on your PC: Don't throw out your old personal computer, laptop, printer or modem. Donate them and you can save the environment and a needy person at the same time.

A computer contains many hazardous wastes including lead, cadmium, zinc and chromium, making them toxic for landfills.

So instead of causing more of an environmental problem in the future, consider donating your old equipment when the Schaumburg/Hoffman Estates Rotary Club holds a computer equipment drop-off event Saturday. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., people can drop off old equipment at the Weber Atrium Center, 721 W. Algonquin Road, Arlington Heights. There is no cost to dispose of as much equipment as you can carry in your personal vehicle.

The usable computers, printers and other equipment donated will have their hard drives erased and then be refurbished and distributed to veterans as well as low-income and disabled citizens. Items that cannot be reused will be recycled safely.

Tax receipts will be distributed at the event but donors are responsible for making their own list of items donated.

Items that will be accepted are: personal computers, laptops, keyboards, power cords, external drives and processing units, speakers, monitors, printers, scanners and all-in-one print/scan/fax/copiers and other related equipment.

Schaumburg/Hoffman Estates Rotary Club members say they are trying the bridge the digital divide that prevents students who don't have access to reliable technology at home from succeeding, while also providing and encouraging responsible recycling of such items.

For more, log onto www.passonyourpc.com.

Tarima Son: The Mount Prospect Public Library, 10 S. Emerson St., will kick off a new season of Super Saturday programs from 11 to 11:45 a.m., Sept. 15 with a concert by the Mexican group Tarima Son.

These musicians will entertain all ages by playing the huapanguera guitar, donkey jaw, harp and Aztec drums while keeping the beat by stomping their feet on the tarima, a percussion instrument and dancing platform.

To register, call (847) 253-5675 or log onto www.mppl.org/events.