UNDATED - Earth Day observances begin in our area starting Thursday.<br />
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A public forum at Brenau tomorrow will be keynoted by a fashion designer who uses waste materials converted into new materials in her work. The 10:30 presentation will be held at the John S. Burd Center for the Performing Arts and is open to the public. Natalie "Alabama" Chanin will also meet with fashion design and merchandising students in a master class laboratory before a 5:00 reception in the Lockett-Mitchell Parlour in Yonah Hall. <br />
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Then on Friday, Elachee Nature Center will screen the movie "Dirt!" at 7:00. It is described as "an insightful and timely film" that takes a "humorous and substantial" look into the history and current state of the living organic matter that we come from and will return to. Dessert is included. Admission: $10 adults, $5 students.<br />
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Elachee's celebration continues Saturday with Earth Day at Elachee from 10:00-1:00, with hikes along the nature preserve's hiking trails, all of them guided by Elachee naturalists. Admission is free for Elachee members and $5 for adults and $3 for youngsters ages 2-12. <br />
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Forsyth County will host public tours of its recycling center on Monday at 4:00; Tuesday at 3:30; and Thursday at 4:00. Home school students are invited to tour the center Wednesday at 10:30, enjoy a sack lunch and participate in a class about the dangers of water pollution. The county's Earth Day festivities will culminate Friday, April 22, with tours of the recycling center and other activities. <br />
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Also on Wednesday, there will be a panel discussion at the Featherbone Communiversity in Gainesville on how businesses and industry can "go green" and "make green." It begins with a reception at 6:00, followed by a panel discussion at 7:00, and closing remarks at 8:30, sponsored by the Hall County EvMS (Environmental Management System).
