If your first task for a new year house cleaning is getting rid of your Christmas tree, you're in luck: Pearl Highlands Center offers free Christmas tree recycling from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today in the parking lot fronting the food court. Trees must be undecorated and unflocked. As a reward for doing a good green deed, tree recyclers will receive coupons from the shopping center and a chance to win a $250 shopping spree. For more information: 864-6360.


— Zenaida Serrano

KEEP IT SIMPLE

NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS

Determined to lose weight? Quit smoking? Or save money? Whatever your new year resolution, write it down, suggests Cynthia Townley Ewer, editor of OrganizedHome.com. Jot down the goal, reasons for aspiring to the goal and the individual steps — daily, weekly, monthly — you'll use to reach the goal. "Putting a resolution in writing lets you refer to it often and gives the plan a substance and validity that will help create motivation," she said.


— Zenaida Serrano

FINAL WORD

"Today, I will do one small task that will contribute toward the achievement of a life goal."

Karen Casey | author of "Each Day a New Beginning: Daily Meditations for Women"