5 Things You Need to Know Today: MulchFest, Recycling Pick-up, Animal Encounters and More

1. You need to know if you have to put the garbage out. The from sanitation central is that you do. They say they're going to start collecting recycling, too. They may not get to either in Prospect Heights tomorrow, but they () have made it clear that you won't be fined if you just leave it out. Alternate side, by the way, resumes Monday, according to 311.

2. You need to reduce your carbon footprint. Today is the start of MulchFest 2011, where you can turn  for healthy ground cover. Remove all decorations from the trees. The closest location is Prospect Heights Community Farm (St. Marks Avenue between Vanderbilt and Underhill) where you can drop the tree off from 10 a.m.to 2 p.m. They're not chipping, there, though, so if you want to see the chipping in progress, and perhaps pick up some mulch for the garden, head to either Third Street & Prospect Park West or the Park Circle entrance at Prospect Park Southwest & Parkside avenues.

3. You need somewhere to take the kids. Inside. Head to the Prospect Park Zoo, where the hands-on interactive, and indoor, Discovery Center, is open 11 to 3. According to the zoo's Web site, "children will use their imaginations to play-act being a zoo vet, come nose-to-nose with birds and reptiles, and play the frog metamorphosis game." There is also "Animal Encounters" at 12:30, 2:30, & 3:00 p.m. in the Discovery Theater, according to the zoo Web site.

4. You need to do something different. How about ? Join the environmental group TimesUp!  at 9 p.m. at Grand Army Plaza. According to the group's Web site, the ride is still on, despite the snow, though it will be canceled if it is raining at 8:45 p.m. (but on if it's snowing).   

5. You need a night out. Is Ibsen's out of your price range? How about some free music at ?  Tonight it's the seven-piece, Afro-Cuban ensemble Sãlongo. The band features drummer Diego Lopez and bandleader-trumpeter Eddie Allen. 9 p.m. 30 Lafayette Ave., free.