Gearing up to clean up

Strawberry Robinson's pencil moved with precision as she drew a detailed picture on a blank white trash can.

Christina Calloway: Portales News-Tribune

Strawberry Robinson, assistant director of the Portales Recreation Center, sketches an Angry Birds-themed drawing on a trash can. About 15 children of the recreation center will be painting and submitting the trash can in a contest for the Great American Cleanup on Saturday at City Park.

Robinson, the assistant director of the Portales Recreation Center, tried not to lose focus as she sketched the outline of an Angry Birds drawing for the Great American cleanup trash can competition this week.

Around here were the paint and paint brushes for the children to fill in her sketches with paint when they got out of school.

The children chose Angry Birds because that's the newest game they all enjoy. Last year they painted and submitted a trash can featuring "Sesame Street" character Oscar the Grouch.

Painting trash cans is fun but Portales Recreation Center Director Jodi Kibbe wants the children to understand that trash and littering is a problem in Portales and cleaning up is an important responsibility.

"It takes everybody as a whole to use trash cans and recycle," Kibbe said.

Kibbe said about 15 children from the recreation center will be volunteering in the cleanup.

According to City Clerk Joan Martinez, residents have complained to council members about the amount of trash in Portales.

The Great American cleanup Saturday in Portales is one of the ways the city addresses the trash issue, she said.

"We do the cleanup to make people aware of their environment," Martinez said.

The city receives grant funding through Keep America Beautiful to sponsor the cleanup, which is now going on its 13th year.

About 200 residents and groups participated in the event last year. City officials use contests such as the most trash bags collected and prizes as incentives to draw people to the event.

"We clean up to take pride in our city," Martinez said.

Eastern in Action, a community service program, is also set for Saturday at 9 a.m. in the student union building.

ENMU students service Portales residents and the community through activities such as yard work, cleaning houses and painting.

Around 30 businesses and residents have already signed up to be serviced through Eastern in Action, according to ENMU student regent Santana Chavez.

"Eastern in Action's purpose is to make Portales a cleaner and friendlier environment for all who live here," Chavez said. "Well over 100 students are expected to participate."

Christina Calloway: Portales News-Tribune

The Great American trash cleanup is 9 a.m. Saturday starting at City Park. Volunteers will pick up trash all over the city. This trash has been blown against a fence on West 18th Street.

North Main Street resident Joyce Ward is angry about the amount of trash that has accumulated in an alley near her home.

Ward said the furniture she sees when she goes to take out trash has been out there for about six weeks.

Ward believes that the city does a good job of keeping the streets pretty clean but says certain city properties such as the city's warehouse yard has some real bad trash.

Ward said she is not taking part in the trash pickup because she has to work.

Public Work Director John DeSha said it may have been a while since the garbage and claw trucks have picked up in Ward's area but said this is first time he's heard about this problem.

"On the city's website, there's a place where you can put in a request for service," DeSha said. "(Ward) is also more than welcome to call city hall and we'll be happy to take care of the issue."

DeSha would also like to remind residents that there is a Portales Convenience Center located at the corner of Kaywood and Avon streets where city and county residents can dispose of large and small items such as furniture and appliances.

FYI

• What: The Great American cleanup

•Where: Portales City Park and will spread throughout the city

•When: 9 a.m. Saturday. Lunch will be served around noon

•Information: 356-6662.