Earth Day events abound in Utah

SALT LAKE CITY — Art exhibits, coloring contests for children, rock concerts for adults and a variety of other events are planned this week in conjunction with the 40th annual Earth Day on April 22.

The "Recycling the Basics" art exhibit will run through Saturday on the patio of Squatters, 147 W. Broadway, in Salt Lake City, featuring work by students.

Westminster's Earth Day on Wednesday will include live music, a plant sale, electronics recycling, Westminster Wheels program and a variety of other green events, including a tour of the Sarah House, an eco-friendly, completely minimalist dwelling created by Utahn Jeff White.

An electronic recycling event is scheduled from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at the parking lot of the Turpin University Services building just west of the Huntsman Center on the University of Utah campus. Residents are encouraged to dispose of old television sets, computers, cell phones and other equipment.

Additional one-day hazardous waste collection events are being sponsored by the Salt Lake Valley Health Department each Thursday from June to August. The collection schedule and list of locations can be found at www.slvhealth.org and www.slcgreen.com.

Also beginning Thursday, people can drop off old automotive batteries at Jardine Services, 2646 S. 300 West, Salt Lake City. For each donated battery, AAA Utah will give $2 to Tree Utah. The drop-off will continue throughout the year from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

On Thursday evening, Train is one of the featured performers at Earth Fest at Gallivan Center. Tickets are $10 for the 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. event, which also has performances by Hey Monday, Karl Wolf and Vita Chambers.

Educators and families can go to www.bloomrecyclers.com and download coloring sheets and coupons to encourage recycling. Entries in the coloring contest are due by April 23, with prizes awarded compliments of the Ogden Nature Center and Ogden Pizzeria.

On Saturday, area residents can participate in the "Bend in the River Earth Day Event," with registration and breakfast kicking off between 8:30 and 9 a.m. at 1050 W. Fremont Ave.

The event, sponsored by Salt Lake City, the Lowell Bennion Center at the U. and REI, an outdoor/recreational gear store, will include remarks by Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker. Afterward, participants can take educational tours or plant seedlings in the "environmental stewardship" aspect of the event.