Text Box: AROUND TOWN Text Box: SCRAP METAL DRIVE A TREMENDOUS SUCCESS The Metal Recycling Challenge between Cabin John and Carderock this spring resulted in the seven-week collection by residents of almost 34,000 pounds of scrap metal. This averted approximately 68,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions that would have been generated in the county incinerators, according to Tim Rojas, an organizer of the challenge. The county’s Dept. of Environmental Protection equates that with removing six passenger cars from the street for a year, Mr. Rojas said. Organizers credited school children with being at the center of the metal collection. They canvassed over 1,300 homes in the neighborhoods to pick up scrap metal. Surprisingly, over 50 percent of the amount was in the form of small items collected in bins placed in each community, not the large metal items collected. After Cabin John won the challenge, the communities held a joint awards ceremony, followed by refreshments, band music, crafts, and exhibits. Councilmember Roger Berliner presided over the ceremony and was joined by county officials. Text Box: HUGE TREE FALLS ON EMPTY HOUSE IN CABIN JOHN An enormous oak tree with a 10-12-foot diameter base suddenly fell atop a house at 6428 79th St. in Cabin John on the afternoon of April 21. The tree had been leaning, and after heavy rains, the roots and clay could not hold it any longer. Luckily, the house was unoccupied, as it had been for several years, and water and electricity had been cut off. So far no one is asserting ownership of either the house or the tree to the extent of correcting the situation. There is now an “Open” sign on top of the tree and a bicycle was positioned half way up the tree, presumably both placed there by jesters. On May 22 the county placed a sign on the tree indicating that it was condemned and must be removed by May 26 along with any “solid waste” around it. If not, the fine would be $500 the first day, and $750 per day thereafter. The tree was still there at Echo press time. The fate of the location at the corner of 79th St. and MacArthur Blvd. has been a controversial one for many months. The house with the tree across it, as well as two other houses, both facing MacArthur, are part of a 1.9 acre plot of land that has been tempting developers. The owners, the children of Geraldine Shaw, have suggested a price of $3 Text Box: SIGN-UPS FOR JUNIOR RANGER CAMPS NOW UNDERWAY Two-day Junior Ranger camps sponsored by the National Park Service and the Clara Barton house will be held this summer for campers ages 9-12 years old. Activities will be related to Clara Barton’s life and times and the history of Glen Echo Park. The camps are free and take place from 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Openings are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The dates are July 8-9, July 15-16, July 29-30, and August 5-6. Reservations are required and space is limited. Call 301-320-1410 Text Box: WANTED: VOLUNTEERS TO STAFF LOCKHOUSE 8 The Potomac Conservancy is looking for river history buffs to show visitors around the lockhouse at Lock 8, tell about the history of the C&O Canal, and educate them about what they can do to protect the Potomac River watershed. The docents will be asked to co-staff the lockhouse from 10:00-2:00 one day each month through September. More information is available at www.potomac.org/join/volunteer.html or contact Bridget Chapin or chapin@potomac.org.