April 22 is the 25th Anniversary of Earth Day. This day is a celebration of our planet and a reminder of our responsibilities.

On April 21, AmeriFest Dallas presents EarthFest ’95 at Downtown’s Pegasus Plaza. This event is billed as the “largest clean-up and beautification project in the nation.”

Sign up for our newsletter

* indicates required

On the corporate level, a Bag-A-Thon will have business teams clean up litter in the Central Business District. Prizes include best team name, best team uniform and most team spirit.

A Cut-A-Thon will offer $10 wet haircuts at various Downtown salons and the proceeds will benefit Dallas Parks Foundation’s ACT (Aid City Trees) project. Free product samples and tree seedlings will also be available.

The EarthFest ’95 festival includes exhibits, educational seminars, prizes, food and beverages, and live entertainment. Scheduled speakers include: Carlos Rovelo, City of Dallas recycling coordinator, gives a recycling seminar at 8 a.m.; a TU Electric representative provides a Renewable Fuel seminar at 8:45 a.m.; a panel discussion on the Clean Air Act 1990 and Emissions Testing at 10 a.m., featuring Senator John Leedom and representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency and Sierra Club.

Entertainment begins at 11:30 a.m. and includes children activities as well as bands provided by Hard Rock Café. For information about EarthFest ’95, call AmeriFest Dallas at 742-4021.

Our Planet Dallas also celebrates Earth Day’s silver anniversary. The organization coordinated numerous “eco-projects” since September, 1994. With a goal of one million volunteer hours by Earth Day, the organization is honoring our planet through community service and environmental commitment.

Our Planet Dallas’ Earthday Celebration will be April 22, from noon to 5 p.m. at the Quadrangle, 2828 Routh Street. This festival offers exhibits, food, prizes, children’s activities and live entertainment. The volunteers, businesses and organizations who have helped with the “eco-projects” will be honored. For details, call Our Planet Dallas at 934-6538.

Keep Dallas Beautiful also has a project for April – Dallas’ ninth annual spring cleanup program. GLAD has a goal of recruiting 30,000 Dallasites to participate in a Bag-A-Thon, which is also taking place in 100 other cities and will attract approximately one million volunteers nationwide. This is a month-long project to clean up litter from roadside neighborhoods, school yards, parks, and from other public land. Recyclables and reusable clothing will also be collected and the clothing will be donated to local service organizations.

The program provides trash bags, posters, and hats for volunteers. Assistance is available to coordinate cleanups. Dates and times can be arranged around your schedule.

The GLAD Bag-A-Thon is sponsored by GLAD Wrap Bags and Keep America Beautiful. Call 670-3762 for more information.

Another April activity promotes the maintenance of White Rock Lake, Jack Johnston Bicycles, 9005 Garland Road, and Team Jonti, a bike racing club, and several other businesses are sponsoring the second annual Shamrock Cup, a bicycle race, on April 30 at Winfrey Point.

The event begins at 9 a.m. and will include food, drink and a drawing for a free mountain bike. A portion of the profits will be donated to the Dallas Park & Recreation Department for White Rock Lake clean-up projects. Call 328-5238 for information.

The bond election is May 6 and the dredging of White Rock Lake is included. You must register to vote by April 6, which means your voter registration card must be postmarked by that date. You can obtain voter registration cards at your local library, post office, or Downtown at the Voter Registration Office, 509 Main St.

Grass Clippings Update

To accommodate scalping season, Dallas sanitation crews will pick up bagged and tagged grass clippings through April 15. Each bag must have a tag in order to be picked up. Tags are $1.50 each and available at all recreation centers.

Homes with Monday/Thursday garbage collection will have grass collection until April 4; homes with Tuesday/Friday garbage collection will have grass collection until April 11. Bagged grass clippings are also accepted at Fair Oaks Transfer station, 7677 Fair Oaks (between Park and Walnut Hill). Call the transfer station at 670-6126 for information. The grass clippings are used for the City’s compost plan, which benefits area parks and other City land.

Household Hazardous Waste

If you missed the household hazardous waste collection at SMU a few months ago, you have another chance.

You have to drive a bit further, but it is worth it if you still have hazardous items cluttering your garage. On April 8, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., these items will be collected at Texas Stadium in Irving.

If you need more information, call Shirin Yousuff, Dallas County Household Hazardous Waste Manager, at 904-3017.