Beach Closures Here’s a handy resource for checking on beach closures (and the reasons for closure) in our area: http://www.deq.state.mi.us/beach/

The official Village of Elberta website has information about local government and civic organizations, fundraisers, Life Saving Station rentals, and local history.

Scrap tires David Schaffer, Benzie County’s recycling and solid waste coordinator, has applied for a grant that would allow the county to accept scrap tires and do more frequent household hazardous waste collections. In the meantime, at least three locations around the county will take your tires for a fee: Express Lube in Benzonia, Northern Auto in Honor, and Elberta’s own Bayshore Tire and Auto. Bayshore charges $4 per tire.

Leaves/brush Because of the Village’s extremely limited and temporary DPW staff, everyone is responsible for their own leaf removal this year. Please do not pile leaves at the end of your street. They will not be picked up, and you will receive a citation. My personal favorite way to dispose of leaves is to compost them in my raised vegetable garden beds. There is no better mulch; they are worth their weight in vegetables! If you don’t want to do that in your yard, I’d be happy to take yours. I’m at 905 Washington Avenue.—Emily Votruba

Hazardous Waste Collections 2017  June 17 at the Frankfort Recycling site; August 15 at Almira Township Hall; both 8 am to 12 pm. Appointments required: 231-882-0554. More info at the County’s Recycling and Solid Waste page.

Elberta Farmers’ Market Established in 2002. The 2017 dates are Thursdays from May 18 to October 12, 8 am to 12:30 pm (9 am to 12:30 after Labor Day). You can use your Bridge/SNAP/Double Up Food Bucks here!

Elberta Post Office New hours (effective 5/4/13): M–F 9 am to 1 pm; Saturday 8:30 am to 10:30 am. Mail hits the boxes by 10:30 am all days. Post office is open for box access from 7 am to 7 pm M–S, closed Sunday. Mail in the inside dropbox will be collected at 1 pm M–F; Saturday at 10:30. Outside dropbox collection: 3 pm M–F; 10:30 am Saturday. Postal worker: Sue Oseland. Phone: 231-352-9261.

Veterans Services  The Benzie County Veterans Affairs office at the Government Center in Beulah is open Monday and Tuesday from 1 pm to 4 pm. Phone number: 231-882-0034. On Mondays from 9:30 am to 3:30, a counselor from the Grand Traverse VA will be available for consultation. Benzie vets may also visit the Grand Traverse VA, which is open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm, 2650 LaFranier Rd, Traverse City, 231-995-6070, veterans@grandtraverse.org.

Waste Disposal The Village has an annual spring cleanup in May, $25 per pickup truckload. Otherwise, regular trash pickup is every Friday at about 9 am (but it’s inconsistently timed, so best to put your trash out the night before). Garbage bags are available at the Village office. Please do not use the Village dumpster for your personal trash (this includes Village employees). This is for Village garbage only. The county also holds periodic hazardous waste collections—these are announced here on the Alert website, or call the solid waste management department at  231-882-0554. Here are some nearby landfills:

Glen’s Landfill, 518 E Traverse Hwy, Maple City, 800-796-9696

Manistee County Landfill, 3890 Camp Rd, Manistee, 231-723-4850 (carpet, $24 a cubic yard, needs to be rolled up)

Ken’s Landfill, 5111 Cedar Run Rd, Traverse City, 231-946-2109