April 15, 2009 > Tri-Cities to celebrate Earth Day Tri-Cities to celebrate Earth Day By Mai El-Sadany You visit Mom on Mother's Day, right? So show Mother Nature how much you care by visiting Fremont's annual Earth Day Fair. Approximately 30 exhibitors are scheduled to share their environmental messages from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, at the Teen Center in Central Park, 39770 Paseo Padre Pkwy. This year's fair is hosted by the Tri-City Ecology Center, Union City's Public Works Department, and the City of Fremont. To help reduce pollution and waste, bring unused and expired medications for proper disposal. Old mercury thermometers can be exchanged for environmentally-friendly versions and attendees can even trade in a halogen floor lamp for an energy-saving version (see related story), all for free. Visitors will learn about reducing waste, recycling, conserving water, preventing pollution, reducing energy use, protecting wildlife and the watershed, cutting back on toxic products at home, and Bay-friendly gardening techniques. During hourly presentations residents can ask questions and learn how to reduce their environmental impact on the planet. Led by a local artist, kids can work on crafts using recycled materials. Puppet shows, recycled paper-making demonstrations, and a number of other events are scheduled for a younger audience. High school groups will demonstrate their knowledge about green gardening techniques, how food choices impact the planet and how to make jewelry from recycled material. A new feature this year is valet bicycle parking. Residents are encouraged to ride their bikes to the fair, where an on-site mechanic from The Bicycle Garage will provide free tune-ups. The East Bay Bicycle Coalition will also be on hand to talk about local bicycle clubs, upcoming bicycling safety skills classes, and signing up participants for "Bike-to-Work Day" on May 14. Union City will give out native trees in one-gallon containers as door prizes to participants who visit all fair exhibits. Trees were grown by special education students at Fremont Adult School. There will also be a creek cleanup nearby from 9 a.m. to noon. Interested volunteers can meet at the boathouse, 40000 Paseo Padre Parkway, at 9 a.m. to participate. Bring water, gloves and sunscreen. The following Monday and Wednesday, April 20 and 22, Fremont will host "Climate Conversations" from 2 -4 p.m. in Conference Room A of the main library, 2400 Stevenson Blvd. It will be an informal discussion about the city's greenhouse gas emissions and its target to reduce them 25 percent by 2020. For more information on any of these activities, contact Fremont's Environmental Services Division at (510) 494-4570. To commemorate Earth Day, Newark's mayor and City Council members will attend a tree-planting ceremony at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 23, outside the Administration Building, 37101 Newark Blvd. Earth Day Celebration Saturday, April 18 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Teen Center in Central Park 39770 Paseo Padre Pkwy, Fremont (510) 494-4570 Creek cleanup Saturday, April 18 9 a.m. to noon. Meet at the boathouse 40000 Paseo Padre Parkway Bring water, gloves and sunscreen. Climate Conversations Monday and Wednesday, April 20 and 22 2 p.m. -4 p.m. Fremont Main Library, Conference Room A 2400 Stevenson Blvd., Fremont Tree-planting ceremony Thursday, April 23 6 p.m. Administration Building 37101 Newark Blvd., Newark