Think about that tree

Unless your power is still out, your Christmas tree is probably shining brightly. But when it's time to get rid of it, how about finding an alternative to throwing that tree in the garbage?

Recycling Christmas trees is an alternative that's better for the environment and may be less expensive.

"We encourage residents to recycle their Christmas trees, rather than throwing them in the trash or taking them to a transfer station," said Theresa Jennings, director of the King County Solid Waste Division. "Rather than having them fill up a landfill, they can be chipped and reused as mulch."

County officials would like residents to consider some recycling options, from curbside pickup to special-collection events.

Residents will be able to recycle trees during regular curbside yard-waste collection. Restrictions vary and people should contact their city or garbage hauler for information.

Many cities offer tree-cycling events for residents to drop off trees for recycling. Some information is on the county's online tree-cycling calendar: www.metrokc.gov/dnrp/swd/calendar/calendar.asp?PID=10.

There also are several private yard-waste facilities in the county that will accept Christmas trees for recycling. Another Web site — www.metrokc.gov/dnrp/swd — has a list of private companies. Some community groups also sponsor holiday tree-cycling fundraising events, and for a modest donation, they will deliver your tree to a commercial recycler.

For more information, call the county's Solid Waste Division during weekday business hours at 296-4466 or toll-free at 800-325-6165, Ext. 6-4466.

Holiday planning

If you have any banking business to do before Christmas, plan on doing it by the end of this week. Most banks and credit unions will be open regular hours Friday and Saturday. Some branches in groceries also will be open Sunday. But all will be closed Christmas Day, which is Monday. They'll be open again Tuesday.

Post offices will be closed Christmas Day, and there won't be home delivery except for Express Mail.

Most state liquor stores will be open regular hours Saturday, and some will be open Sunday. But all will be closed Christmas Day and open again the day after. Stores with Sunday hours are listed online at www.liq.wa.gov/PriceBook/SundaySales.asp.

Getting around

The state ferry system's Anacortes-San Juan Island routes will be on regular schedules Sunday and Monday, with extra sailings scheduled the day after Christmas.

Some other routes will be on regular Monday schedules Christmas Day, and some will be on holiday schedules.

The Mukilteo-Clinton route will run on its holiday schedule Sunday and Monday.

The Edmonds-Kingston route will be on its regular schedule Sunday and its holiday schedule Christmas Day.

The Seattle-Bainbridge route will be on its regular schedule Sunday and its Saturday schedule Christmas Day.

Seattle-Bremerton ferries will be on the regular Monday schedule Christmas Day, but there'll be no Seattle-Vashon passenger-only service Monday.

The Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route will be on its regular schedule Sunday and Monday.

Sound Transit's Sounder commuter trains will be out of service Christmas Day. Sound Transit express buses will run on Sunday schedules on Christmas Day.

Here & Now is compiled by Seattle Times staff reporter Charles E. Brown and news assistant Suesan Whitney Henderson. To submit an item, e-mail herenow@seattletimes.com or call 206-464-2226.