Northwood News ♦ December 2004

October’s Biannual Creek Cleanup Yields ‘Upscale’ Trash

By Carole Barth

We had good weather for the fall creek cleanup on October 23rd.  It was nice to see some new volunteers joining the cleanup veterans.  In all, we removed about 15 bags of trash from where the creek daylights (at Lockridge Drive and Eastwood Avenue) to where it joins Northwest Branch.  Large items recovered included a folding table and a brass chandelier.  Jerry Lane worked at removing invasive tree-killing vines and he generated a good-sized brush pile.

However, we did notice a difference in the type of trash this year.  Ordinarily we recover about a dozen mouthwash bottles (since mouthwash containing alcohol is readily available to underage drinkers) and quite a few remnants of the cheapest beer and wine.  This year we had much more “upscale” trash, including boutique soda cans, imported beer and wine, and even a brandy bottle.  Perhaps the rise in housing prices is having an impact?  It will be interesting see what we turn up next April in the spring cleanup!   ■