Students spread lesson about keeping tires inflated
Earth Day has been transformed into Earth Week in many places as people work together to save our environment and stop global warming.
Lincoln Middle School, 700 W. Lincoln Ave., has been participating in the effort all this week as they have for many years. But each year the "Lincoln Leaders," a student group, picks a different emphasis for the week.
This year they have chosen to learn about a small thing that can have a big impact on the environment -- correct tire inflation, according to Linda Johnston, PTA Chairwoman of the Environmental Education Committee at Lincoln. They have partnered with Busse Automotive, 113 E. Prospect Ave.
When tires are under-inflated, you get rolling resistance that causes the engine to work harder and use more gasoline. And for each gallon of gas that a car burns, it gives off 20 pounds of carbon dioxide which is a greenhouse gas that potentially adds to global warming.
"We have learned that you can save 3.3 percent of your fuel with the proper tire inflation and that everyone should check their tires monthly. But in order to do that, everyone needs a tire gauge," Johnston explained.
So Busse has offered to give a free tire gauge to anyone who visits his shop for a free tire check and assistance in filling their tires. This program will last as long as his supply of 450 gauges last.
In addition, this week the Lincoln students tried harder to recycle waste in the lunchroom, encouraged waste-free lunches, and enjoyed a power-out day when few lights were used and computer use was limited.
Earth/Arbor Day Celebration:ŒThe River Trails Park District will hold its annual celebration of the earth from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, at Woodland Trails Park, 1500 E. Euclid Ave. There will be all kinds of earth-related entertainment and exhibits including a blacksmith demonstration, an animal show, kite making, a petting zoo and much more.
In addition, the Environmental Protection Agency will be there to gather old cell phones, computers, monitors, televisions, printers and other electronic devices for safe, environmentally-friendly disposal.
Prayer breakfast:ŒMount Prospect's Ninth Annual Mayor's Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by the Mount Prospect Interfaith Council and the Mount Prospect Chamber of Commerce, will be held at 7:30 a.m. Thursday, May 1, at Bristol Court Banquets, 838 E. Rand Road. It will coincide with the National Day of Prayer.
The speaker for the morning will be Jerry Clauser from Journeys from PADS to HOPE, the organization which assists the homeless.
Tickets are $15 each and reservations may be made with the Mount Prospect Chamber of Commerce, 107 S. Main St., by mail or online at www.mountprospectchamber.org.