News You Can Use

January 4, 2008

Christmas Tree Recycling Made Easy

Whether your Christmas tree is still decorated or has already been moved to the back porch, the National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA) recommends it be recycled. 

If you already own a chipper or shredder, grind your tree into mulch.  Needles are a great compost item or garden cover.  Turn a needless, needleless Christmas tree into a trellis for spring planting season.  Your vines will give new life to that skeleton.   

For ideas on recycling your tree or to locate a recycler through a zip code sorter consult the NCTA webpage.  In many municipalities that may mean nothing more than a trip to the sidewalk with your tree on a given day allowing for the local recycling program to operate. 

Check your county's or local municipality's website for recycling programs.

Give Yourself a Credit Check-up 

The New Year is a great time for a credit check-up, according to the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General.  Less than half of all consumers order their free credit report and approximately 60 percent do not track monthly expenses, including credit card and bank statements. 

Consumers are annually entitled to one free credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus.  The Office of Attorney General recommends ordering a credit history every four months, alternating between the three major credit bureaus, allowing consumers to maximize upon the number of free copies and improve chances of detecting fraudulent accounts. 

Careful and immediate attention to monthly or on-line statements can detect small charges made by identity thieves anticipating larger purchases when the smaller transactions are successfully processed. 

Old and unused accounts appearing on a credit report are candidates for closure as are incorrect or outdated accounts.  Errors and fraudulent charges should be addressed immediately.  The Federal Trade Commission addresses related frequently asked questions.  The online Identity Theft Toolkit prepared by the PA Office of Attorney General can help you prevent and correct problems. 

Credit bureau contact information:  Equifax: 1-800-525-6285; P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta, GA 30374-0241; Experian: 1-888-EXPERIAN (397-3742); P.O. Box 9532, Allen, TX 75013, and TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289;  Fraud Victim Assistance Division, P.O. Box 6790, Fullerton, CA 92834-6790.    

Farm Show Adopts Learning Stations 

The 2008 Pennsylvania Farm Show is encouraging visitors to explore agriculture like never before.  Eleven hands-on learning stations introduce both children and adults to the people, animals, and products that contribute to Pennsylvania's agricultural backbone.   

Consult the map for the location of the learning stations connoted with a special learning station icon to experience agriculture up close and personal.  The Show will feature nearly 8,000 animals, 10,000 competitive exhibits, and 270 commercial exhibitors during the 8-day event running from Saturday to Saturday, January 5 through 12, 2008.  

Consult the 2008 PA Farm Show website for information on navigating the 25 acre complex, schedules, and other visitor's information.  If you will be staying in the area, locate lodging and things to do in central Pennsylvania, often referred to as PA Dutch Country.  

Farmers May REAP Tax Credits  

Farmers interested in the Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) tax credit program can take advantage of one of two specially scheduled meetings during the 2008 Farm Show.  The State Conservation Commission will conduct separate informational meetings on Tuesday, January 8 and Thursday, January 10, 2008 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Pennsylvania Room of the Farm Show Complex. 

REAP encourages the use of conservation best management practices to reduce erosion and sedimentation affecting Pennsylvania's streams and watersheds.  The program is equipped to issue $10 million in credits for fiscal year 2007-08.   

Eligible applicants may receive between 25% and 75% of project costs through state tax credits for up to $150,000 per agricultural operation.  The amount of tax credit available to a recipient is dependent on the type of BMP implemented.  

Farmers interested in REAP's guidelines and options may also pick up an application packet on the Main Floor of the Farm Show Complex or go to this website.  Applications are considered on a first-come, first-served basis.  For information about the program or to attend an educational meeting, contact program administrator Mary Bender at 717-787-8821 or by e-mail at mabender@state.pa.us.   

Radon Action Month  

Are you aware there may be a radioactive gas lurking in the air you breathe?  According to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), certain geologic areas of Pennsylvania rest on elevated levels of uranium ore causing radon to occur naturally in many homes. 

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer.  In Pennsylvania, some 860-3,800 lung cancer deaths occur every year due to exposure at home.  An estimated 40% of Pennsylvania homes have radon levels above the recommended Environmental Protection Agency guidelines.  

For assistance with detection and mitigation of radon, consult DEP's Bureau of Radiation website.  You will find help with a Do-It-Yourself Radon Detection Devices Fact Sheet; the "What You Should Know About Radon" pamphlet and much more.  You may wish to consult radon findings recorded by DEP through a zip code search.  

Consult the EPA's National Radon Action Month webpage for more on awareness and mitigation of this naturally-occurring radioactive gas. 

PA's Annual Art of the State Exhibition Accepting Applications  

The 2008 Art of the State juried art exhibition is accepting applications through March 1, 2008 from artists creating works in paint, on paper, photography, sculpture, or craft for inclusion in the summer show. 

Among the awards to be presented Saturday, June 8, 2008 include the $250 Rose Roy Memorial Award Honoring Volunteerism and the $250 William D. Davis Memorial Award for Drawing.  The State Museum offers a $2,000 Purchase Prize.