Spring has finally arrived and no doubt you are cleaning up around the yard, clearing it of the winter's debris. You can take the leaves to the dump, but how about recycling them? I've got just the place.

The Howard County Master Gardeners have a program called "Rake and Take" where they connect people who rake or mulch their grass clippings and leaves with those who want them for composting, mulch and other organic uses.

Make sure the leaves and grass clippings are free of chemicals, herbicides, fungicides or pesticides. E-mail Melanie McKibbin, Master Gardener Rake and Take Coordinator, at melmck@verizon.net and tell her whether you "want leaves" or "have leaves." She will match you with a rake and take partner.

McKibbin is the new coordinator and she is very passionate about helping the environment. She wrote in her e-mail that the Master Gardener program offers free compost demonstrations at Schooley Mill Park and Centennial Park.

For information on times and dates for these, call the Maryland Cooperative Office at 410-313-2707.

Come on out and join with the Cedar Lane School PTA in their 11th annual "Walk for our Stars" fundraiser Saturday, April 26 at 10:30 a.m. The event will take place at Maple Lawn Community Center, 7600 Maple Lawn Blvd., in Fulton. Registration is $40 per family of up to four and it includes two T-shirts. Single person registration is $20 per person and includes one T-shirt. There is an extra $5 charge for each additional child. For more information, call Melissa Preston at 410-888-8800.

Can you believe that Fulton Elementary School and Lime Kiln Middle School are sponsoring their 10th annual golf tournament? I can't. It doesn't seem as if either school has been there that long.

Christa Chappel and Yvona Ward, co-chairwomen for this year's event, are working hard to make the outing as memorable and as successful as possible. They've lined up some great sponsors for the May 2 event at Hampshire Greens, in Silver Spring.

Registration begins at noon with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. A foursome will cost $420 while a single is $110. The fee includes complimentary use of the driving range and putting green, 18 holes of golf with a cart, complimentary beverage cart, a 20-percent discount in the pro shop before the tournament and admission to an after-party featuring a buffet, prizes, raffles and a silent auction.

It's a fun event for serious golfers as well as novices and really benefits the students. The proceeds from the event are used to fund academic and cultural arts programs that are not covered by the school budget. This includes items such as audiovisual equipment, teaching software, Space Day and Family Nights.

If golfing is not your forte, maybe being a sponsor is. E-mail Christa at christia_chappell@yahoo.com or Yvona Ward at yward@helix.nih.gov for more information about being a sponsor.

Local boy Sean Simmons, son of our postal carrier, Carol Hill, is home from U.S. Marine Corps Boot Camp. Woo hoo! Oo-rah, Marine! Semper fi. I know Hill and her family are very proud of him and his accomplishments. We are, too.

Well, that's all for now. Look after your neighbors. Remember our troops who are serving in harm's way. And their families. Commit a random act of kindness.

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