Artificial Christmas trees can’t be recycled; plus no Tesla AM

QThis may not be a Roadshow call, but it involves garbage and recycling trucks that use city streets, so here goes.

Can I recycle my very old artificial Christmas tree? How about used ornaments that didn’t survive our cat?

— Melanie Chu,

San Jose

ANo. Artificial trees are usually made of polyvinyl chloride, which is not recyclable.

String lights should never be recycled, either.

They can spool around equipment at recycling facilities and cause a lot of damage.

If you can’t reuse them, it’s better to throw them out.

Tinsel and ornaments are not recyclable, either. If you can’t donate them, toss them in the garbage.

QThe reason Teslas don’t have AM reception is that the electric motor creates an incredible amount of interference that essentially kills AM reception. If someone wants to listen to AM, they’ll have to stream it through their phone or Tesla’s internet connection. — Jay Walbrook, Los Gatos

A

Go to www. soundandvision.com/content/ why-tesla-killingam-radio for more information.

QWe drive up Highway 50 regularly in the winter in an all-wheeldrive vehicle with mud and snow tires, at or below the speed limit.

We have learned that it is best to go after the snow has dropped off to flurries or stopped altogether.

Caltrans is fantastic at clearing the road, and they make it passable within a couple of hours after heavy snowfall.

Also, we have never had to show or use chains, so I would say it’s optional to have them with an AWD vehicle, except if driving in a heavy blizzard.

— Ed Mocarsk,

Portola Valley

AGood to know you’ve had good experience with winter driving on Highway 50. Drivers need to carry chains.

Q

I may be exaggerating, but at times speeders drive by as fast as 50 mph in a 25 mph zone.

I have kids and a lot of people walk in our neighborhood. I don’t want the city to wait to make a change until there’s an accident.

What can I do?

— Julio Cesar Buenrostro, Campbell

AThere is a multi-step process to determine if the problem requires a change, and if so, what measures are needed.

Your request is part of the first step.

To finish that step, submit the Neighborhood Request for Traffic Calming Form (www.ci.campbell. ca.us/DocumentCenter/View/18353/Campbell-Neighborhood-Request-for-Traffic-CalmingStudy).

Next, submit a Neighborhood Petition, as described on the webpage.

A blank petition form is at www.ci.campbell. ca.us/DocumentCenter/View/7270/petition-for-traffic-calmingmeasure?bidId=.

The program is addressed on a first-come, first-served basis.