Every 13 seconds, a U.S. poison control center receives a call about an unintentional poisoning. In 2006, poison control centers reported more than 77,000 calls made to poison centers with concerns about potential exposure to common household pesticides. If you have household chemicals, including pesticides, that you need to dispose of, contact the Kent County Department of Public Works. Their Household Hazardous Waste Program can help. Call 616-336-2570 or visit the website at www.accesskent.com/hhw.

The Specialized Language Development (SLD) Center , a community resource of West Michigan, is committed to bringing the power of reading, writing and spelling to all individuals with dyslexia or other unique learning styles, enabling them to achieve their full potential. They are currently looking for tutors in the West Michigan area. The number to call to find out more is 616 361 1182.

WYCE and Calvin College present Mates Of State at Calvin's Fine Art Center on Friday, October 17th at 9:00pm. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Calvin Box Office at 616-526-6282 or by visiting tickets@calvin.edu. Upcoming Calvin shows also include Woven Hand on October 20th, and My Brightest Diamond on November 5th. Stay tuned to 88.1 FM WYCE for ticket giveaways to these and other upcoming concerts at Calvin.

September 27th is National Public Lands Day, a day set out to improve public lands for outdoor recreation, with volunteers assisting land managers in hands-on work. Volunteers are needed to help clean up the Thornapple River in observance of this day. The clean up begins at Tyden Park in Hastings and Ruehs Park in Alaska and goes from 8:00am until noon, with lunch at Tyden Park to follow. To volunteer for the Thornapple River Clean Up call 269-948-8056 or visit their website at www.thornappleriver.org

The Really Really Free Market takes place Sunday, September 28th at the corner of Wealthy and Fuller Avenue from 3pm-7pm. Whether you would like to share your talents, goods or food, or browse the market yourself, all are welcome to attend this absolutely FREE market. There will be a potluck, games, live music, and a drum circle. For more information, please call Mandi at 616 633 2613.

The annual book sale sponsored by the AAUW is being held September 26th and 27th at the Holland Civic Theatre. Monies raised in this sale help support education scholarships for women and a variety of community projects. For more information please contact Barb at 616-399-5196

In September, the Kent District Library will expand its bilingual Storytime programs at several branches. These programs will use volunteer Storytime Ambassadors to incorporate both English and either Spanish, Chinese or Japanese, and will provide cultural experiences for families through stories, songs and crafts. For more information, including dates, times and branch locations, please visit www.kdl.org/events

WYCE and One Trick Pony present The Bittersweets as part of this fall's Hat Trick Concert Series. The Bittersweets are a sparkling, intelligent mix of pop and pedal steel...with a melodic folk base, adding a bit of roots rock. A hat will be passed to benefit Catherine's Care Center, a free health clinic that strives to improve health in the Creston and Belknap neighborhoods and beyond through screenings, education, referrals and by acting as a gateway to primary health care services. The Bittersweets, Monday, October 6th at 7:30 pm at One Trick Pony, located at 136 E. Fulton. For more information please visit wyce.org and click on the "concerts" link. The 2008 Hat Trick Concert Series is presented by the law firm of Rhoades McKee. Lodging is provided by Peaches Bed & Breakfast. Audio support is provided by Mark Swanson.

“In the Image” is in urgent need of gently used clothing donations to provide families the opportunity to find the clothes they need at no charge to them. In The Image is located at 1823 South Division, three blocks north of Burton at the corner of Division and Rose.