SOUTH COUNTY HAPPENINGS

N.C. parks accepting trees for recycling

National City will be taking Christmas trees for recycling starting today through Jan. 13 at its city parks: El Toyon Park, 2005 E. 4th St.; Kimball Park, 12th and A Avenue; and Las Palmas Park, 1800 E. 22nd St. Please remove all lights and ornaments before recycling your tree. No flocked trees accepted.

Christmas trees do not need to be cut down for recycling at drop-off locations. Residents can also recycle Christmas trees by placing them inside the green waste cart on your regular collection day now through Jan. 8.

Trees over four feet tall should be cut in half for collection. Trees only. Also: Christmas cards and wrapping paper can be recycled as mixed paper in your blue cart. Styrofoam packaging (not packing peanuts) and gift and cardboard boxes can also be recycled in the blue cart.

3rd Ave. lights burning brightly through Friday

Chula Vista’s historical Third Avenue will keep its holiday lights sparkling through the end of December, so it’s not too late to take a holiday photo with a bright background. The city decorated 117 streetlight poles with 28,800 LED lights. Twenty-six of the light poles have five-foot-tall lighted snowflakes.

The annual holiday parade had to be canceled for a second year because of the pandemic, so the city worked with the Third Avenue Village Association (TAVA) to install holiday lights and banners to celebrate the season and promote local shopping and dining. In addition to the streetlights, the city is installing up-lights on the palm trees in the median along Third Avenue from E to G Streets. That project will be completed by January.

Living Coast offers New Year’s Eve party

The Living Coast Discovery Center hosts “Glow Up in 2022" from 6-9 p.m. Friday, with glow-in-the-dark dancing at the new silent disco, animal encounters, trivia, trail hikes, and more for all ages. Food will be available for purchase from the Simply Fresh food truck, and beverage options will include beer, wine, hard kombucha, soda — and the signature hot cocoa bar. This is an outdoor event with some indoor space available, so dress accordingly. Proof of vaccination or negative PCR test taken three (3) days before the event is required. Tickets start at $30 for members and $35 for nonmembers, and are available at https://bit.ly/3mlr2me. The center is at 1000 Gunpowder Point Drive, Chula Vista. Visit https://www.thelivingcoast.org.

Local outdoor program wins grant

Route to Parks Grants, Parks California’s signature transportation grant program, recently awarded roughly $311,000 in grants to 20 organizations across California, including Outdoor Outreach, which is based in San Diego. The organizations chosen are dedicated to strengthening parks and inspiring people to enjoy them. Each group will receive an average of $15,000 for programs helping access state parks for families facing financial hardship and transportation challenges. Outdoor Outreach partners with Title I schools to use the outdoors as a place to provide interventions for youth. The program removes the barriers that these young people face in traveling to state parks by offering repeated opportunities that help them feel included at the parks. Over the grant period, 20-plus outings will be offered, as well as

monthly family experiences. Being in a safe, mentor-supported environment will increase the young people’s chances for success and give them a sense of stewardship. Route to Parks grantees are able to connect communities to the benefits of natural resources — such as an improved emotional and mental state as well as improved physical well-being. Visit www.outdooroutreach.org.

Hospice offers sessions for volunteers

The Elizabeth Hospice invites those interested in helping adults and children facing the challenges of a life-limiting illness and those grieving a death to a free virtual volunteer orientation. Learn about virtual and in-person opportunities throughout the county, including being patient companions, providing caregiver respite, performing aromatherapy, sewing Cuddle Bears, officiating at veteran pinning ceremonies, and more. Information will be provided on the application and training process. An email address and a device with a camera interface are needed to take part in the session, or attendees can join by phone. The next sessions will be from 4-5 p.m. Jan. 6 and noon-1 p.m. Jan. 17. Register to the Volunteer Department at (800) 797-2050 or email volunteer@ehospice.org.

Blood drive

The San Diego Blood Bank hosts this event:

• 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday, The Broken Yolk Cafe, Plaza Bonita, 3030 Plaza Bonita Road, National City. Donors will receive a voucher for a free entrée (up to $14), courtesy of The Broken Yolk Those 17 and older may be eligible to donate blood. Appointments strongly encouraged. Photo ID required. Call (800) 469-7322 or visit Sandiegobloodbank.org.