Once Santa and his reindeer have headed home and Christmas tree needles are scattered on the floor, it is time to toss the once fresh-smelling tree.

The City of Memphis Storm Water Program wants to remind all residents to recycle Christmas trees rather than pitching them in the garbage.

The MLGW smart grid demonstration is underway this week as meter technicians have begun installing 1,000 electric smart meters for residential customers who volunteered to be participants in a three-year demonstration project.

These Smart Grid pioneers will test the effectiveness of smart meters and in-home energy monitoring devices in helping customers to strategically reduce their consumption of electricity - resulting in a smaller bill every month.

An AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps team arrived in Memphis to continue its work with the Wolf River Conservancy and other community organizations, engaging in service projects in and around Shelby County.

The 11-member team, Delta 1, will be serving in the city until Dec. 17, helping coordinate projects in the area. The team has been working with the Wolf River Conservancy cleaning up litter in and along the Wolf River, and creating privet mats to mitigate erosion of soil along the Wolf River. In addition, the team is involved with several other organizations including, Vollintine Evergreen Community Association (VECA), Arkwings, and Grow Memphis.