5 Things: MulchFest, Volunteer Efforts, No Pants Subway Rides

1. Get Rid of Your Holiday Tree. If you haven't tossed it already, bring your holiday tree to a designated city park this weekend, Jan. 12-13, for MulchFest, where your tree will be recycled into mulch that will nourish plantings across the city! There are many locations throughout the borough that you can bring your tree. Find the chipper location closest to you here. And of course, if you can't make it to the festivities, fear not: Leave your tree at the curb until Jan. 19 and it will be turned into mulch by the Department of Sanitation. 

2. Lend a helping hand. On Saturday, volunteer with Respond & Rebuild, an organization that is helping to rebuild Rockaways residents' homes. It's a dirty, meticulous job, although anyone who can do manual labor for a day can learn the proper DOH-approved methods. Those with construction skills who can commit to participating on an on-going basis are encouraged to do so. Please bring a bagged lunch. Water will be provided.

3. Check out an open house. Old First Nursery School, a non-denominational, parent-run cooperative (501(c)3) nursery school, will be having its Annual Open House for prospective families, hosted by current OFNS families and teachers, on Saturday, Jan. 12 from 12-3 p.m. Kids of all ages are welcome, and refreshments will be provided.

4. Prepare to Encounter Some Pants-less Commuters. On Sunday, Improv Everywhere’s No Pants Subway Ride will take place in the city, where strangers will gather from all five boroughs and ride the subway-- sans pants. There are two meeting spots in Brooklyn: the Old Stone House in Park Slope and Maria Hernandez Park in Bushwick. Riders will meet at 3 p.m. to be broken up into smaller groups for riding, before everyone meets in Union Square.   

5. Move the car. Sorry folks, alternate side parking rules are in effect today. The next suspension isn't until Monday, Jan. 21 for MLK Day, according to the NYCDOT.