Around The Glen

Hazardous waste collection Oct. 6

Santa Clara County is holding a Household Hazardous Waste Collection event Oct. 6 at West Valley College in Saratoga. Appointments must be scheduled in advance, and address information will be provided at that time.

Many of the products used to clean homes contain toxic pollutants and are one of the major causes of water pollution in the Bay Area, said Sheila Tucker, program manager of the West Valley Clean Water Program.

"Our treatment plants weren't designed to remove the toxic chemicals," she said. "And they continue to flow into the bay."

People are invited to bring as much as five gallons or 50 pounds of unwanted household products like aerosols, antifreeze, cleaners, fertilizers, paints, photochemicals, resins and solvents, labeled "flammable," "toxic," "corrosive" or "reactive." Sort chemicals and bring them in their original sealed containers.

For more information and to make an appointment, call 408.299.7300 or visit www.hhw.org on the web. People can also call 408.354.5385 for a free copy of "Clean It: Safer Housecleaning Methods That Really Work," which explains how to clean homes without using toxic chemicals.

--Kate Carter

Bonfante Gardens closed Sept. 17

A new local nonprofit theme park closed for the season Sept. 17, more than three months before it had planned to on Dec. 31.

Gilroy's Bonfante Gardens, 3050 Hecker Pass Highway, was drawing crowds, park spokesman Dan Orloff said, but the economic downturn caused several key investors to pull expected funding.

"In essence, the park attendance has met expectations," he said. "That is not the nature of the problem. But the full business plan wasn't funded, and efforts, given the economic climate, have not been successful. It made sense to close 13 weeks early to secure next year's financing."

Orloff said the park expects to open next spring. Park season ticket holders will receive credit for the passes next year, he said. In addition, Six Flags Marine World in Vallejo will honor the passes; Roaring Camp and Big Trees in Felton will give ticket holders a 10 percent discount; Paramount's Great America in Santa Clara will give ticket holders a $19.95 discount; and "more are coming," he said.

Prepaid school trips to the park will be reimbursed either by the park or by an anonymous donor, Orloff said. Information will be sent to ticket holders and prepaid groups in the mail, or they can visit www.bonfantegardens.com for more information.

--Kate Carter

Around the Glen

Carl Heintze: Buying a new refrigerator saves on knee strain

Photo: Adopt-A-Pet

Sports Briefs

Willow Glen High School field hockey

Presentation High School volleyball

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