With the holiday season, there are some changes to the area curbside recycling program, James City County is offering free Christmas tree drop-off and free leaf drop-off is coming up in January. The National Fire Protection Association has supplied some excellent tips for holiday fire safety and James City County has announced holiday closings. New Town’s Skate Rink continues to offer fun nights and there will be one more Thursday Theme Night. Read on for more.
VPPSA Recycling Pick-Up Holiday Schedule
The Virginia Peninsula Public Service Authority will pick up recycling Saturday, Dec. 22 and will not pick up recycling on Tuesday, Dec. 25. Residents should place recycling bins curbside by 7 a.m. on Saturday to receive service.
The make-up collection day is for residents who normally recycle on Tuesdays.
The VPPSA regional curbside recycling program provides service to James City County, Poquoson, Williamsburg, and York County.
Christmas Tree Recycling
Remove all ornaments, decorations, and tree stands to make sure that your live tree can be properly recycled.
James City County: Trees will be accepted free of charge Dec. 26-Jan. 31 at the three County Convenience Centers in Toano Convenience Center at 185 Industrial Blvd.; at 1204 Jolly Pond Rd. and at 107 Tewning Rd.
Williamsburg: Trees will be collected from the curb on Monday, Jan. 7, and Monday, Jan. 14. Trees must be on the curb by 7:00 a.m. on Jan. 7 for collection.
York County: Trees can be placed curbside for collections the week of Jan. 7. Trees must be on the curb by 7:00 a.m. on Jan. 7 for collection or residents can bring their trees to the VPPSA Compost Facility at 145 Goodwin Neck Rd.
Free Leaf Drop-Off at Jolly Pond Convenience Center
The last free leaf drop-off at the Jolly Pond Convenience Center will be from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. from Jan. 2-14. Leaves will only be accepted in clear bags 40 gallons or less. Tree limbs and brush will not be accepted as part of the free drop-off and will require a coupon.
Commercial lawn service companies can drop off leaves on behalf of a resident but must have a letter from the resident containing name, address and telephone number.
Before Jan. 2 and after Jan. 14, leaves may be dropped off using coupons.
Coupons area available for purchase online or at the Treasurer’s Office, Satellite Services, Freedom Park, the James City County Recreation Center and the James River Community Center. One coupon per four lawn and leaf-sized bags is required.
Holiday Fire Safety
Residential fires increase during the holidays according to the National Fire Protection Association. Most home fires can be prevented with simple preventative measures.
Cooking
- Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries in the United States. Most of these fires involve the stove top.
- Create a “kid-free zone” of at least three feet around the stove as well as areas where hot food and drinks are prepared or carried.
- In case of any fire, just get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire. Call 911 after you leave.
- If you do try to fight the fire, be sure others get out and that you have quick access to an exit.
- Keep a lid near the stove to smother small grease fires. Slide the lid over the pan and turn off the stove top. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.
- For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.
Candles
- Keep burning candles at least 12 inches away from anything flammable. Always extinguish candles when you leave the room or go to bed.
- Avoid using candles in the bedroom. More than 20 percent of candle fires in the United States begin in areas where people may fall asleep.
- Never leave a child alone with a burning candle. Consider using flameless candles. Flameless candles look and smell like real candles without the danger of fire.
Christmas Trees
- Christmas trees should never block an exit.
- Make sure your tree is at least three feet away from any heat source such as fireplaces, space heaters, radiators, candles and heat vents.
- If you have an artificial tree, check to be sure it is labeled, certified or identified by the manufacturer as fire-retardant.
- In choosing a fresh tree, be sure the needles are green and don’t fall off when touched. Before placing the tree in the stand, cut at least 2 inches from the base of the trunk. This will prevent sap in the tree from hardening and blocking off its ability to drink up fresh water. Add water to the tree stand and replenish it daily to keep the tree from drying out.
- Check tree lights for labels to ensure they are approved by an independent testing laboratory. For indoor trees, only use lights labeled approved for indoor use. Outdoor lights should only be used outdoors.
- Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords, broken lights or loose bulb connections. Connect no more than three strands of mini-string lights and a maximum of 50 bulbs for screw-in bulbs.
- Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.
- Dried-out trees are a fire hazard and should be taken down for safety’s sake after Christmas. Never leave a dry tree in your house, garage or outside nearby. Trees will be accepted free of charge Dec. 26-Jan. 31 at the three County Convenience Centers. For more information, visit the County’s website.
- Bring outdoor electrical lights inside after the holidays to prevent hazards. This will also extend their useful life.
For additional safety information, videos, printable gift tags with a safety message and more, visit the NFPA website. Children can visit the Sparky website for games, activities and free e-cards.
James City County Holiday Closings
James City County government offices, facilities, libraries and courts will follow the schedule listed below for the December and January holidays:
County offices
Dec. 24, 25: Closed
Jan. 1: Closed
James City County Recreation Center and James River Community Center
Dec. 24, 25: Closed
Dec. 31: Closed at 6 p.m.
Jan. 1: Closed
Convenience Centers
Dec. 24, 25: Closed
Jan. 1: Closed
Garbage Transfer Station
Dec. 25: Closed
Jan. 1: Closed
Libraries
Dec. 24, 25: Closed
Jan. 1: Closed
Williamsburg/ James City County Circuit Court
Dec. 24, 25, 26: Closed
Jan. 1: Closed
Williamsburg/ James City County General District and Juvenile & Domestic Relations Courts
Dec. 24, 25: Closed
Jan. 1: Closed
New Town Ice Skating Rink Continues to Offer “Fun Nights”
The Skate Rink in New Town is now offering:
- Early Bird Special, Monday through Friday from 4-5:30 p.m. Receive a free skate rental with paid admission
- Date Night on Mondays from 6-9:30 p.m. Bring a receipt from any New Town restaurant dated that day and receive free skate rentals for two with paid admission.
- New Town Night on Tuesdays from 6-9:30 p.m. Bring a receipt from any New Town store dated that day and receive free skate rental with paid admission.
- Family Skate Night on Wednesdays from 6-9:30 p.m. Receive a free child admission and skate rental with the purchase of an adult admission and skate rental.
- Theme Nights on Thursdays through December from 6-9:30 p.m. Dress up and receive a free skate rental with paid admission.
- Themes:
- Dec. 27: Red, White and Blue Night
- Themes:
The Skate Rink is located in Sullivan Square at 4301 New Town Ave. behind Legacy Hall.
The rink is open daily, except Christmas Day, through Jan. 13. Regular hours through Dec. 20 are Monday-Friday: 4-9:30 p.m.; Saturday: 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; and Sunday: noon-7:30 p.m. Winter Break hours are weekdays Dec. 21-Jan. 1, noon-9:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; and Sundays, noon-7:30 p.m. Christmas Eve hours are 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. The rink is closed Christmas Day. Operation hours could be adjusted based on weather, participation numbers and special events.
Admission is $5; admission with a skate rental is $7. Skate sharpening is $5, season passes are $50 and private rental is $350 per session. Children under age 12 must be supervised by an adult at all times.
Skate sessions start when the rink opens and are held every two hours thereafter (2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m., etc.) and last one hour and 30 minutes. For more information on the rink, visit the county website.
