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The Keep Henrico Beautiful Committee will provide Christmas tree recycling for Henrico residents at two county sites from Monday, Dec. 26 through Monday, Jan. 9.

Residents may bring their trees to the lower parking lot at the Henrico Government Center, 4301 E. Parham Rd., and to the front parking lot at the Eastern Government Center, 3820 Nine Mile Rd.. This free service is offered for residential use, not for commercial tree lots. > Read more.

The celebrations and obligations of the holiday season added to an already busy life can make this time of the year hectic and stressful. A few moments each day watching birds at a backyard birdfeeder often provide an interesting and entertaining break that most people find they want to keep in their life long after the holidays have ended.

Now is an excellent time to start feeding the birds according to John Coe, Henrico Master Gardener and president of the Virginia Audubon Council. “We’re just now seeing an influx of the birds that winter here,” he said. > Read more.

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services recently approved economic assistance for businesses in Henrico County, as well as 15 other localities, that experienced damage due to drought and excessive heat from May 25 to Aug. 27, 2011. The economic injury disaster loans are provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and are available to eligible farm-related and non-farm-related entities that suffered financial losses as a direct result of this disaster. With the exception of aquaculture and nursery enterprises, agricultural producers, farmers and ranchers are not eligible to apply to SBA for economic injury disaster loans for losses caused by drought conditions. > Read more.

The Richmond Regional Planning District Commission (RRPDC) will host the 2012 Legislative Breakfast on Wednesday, Jan. 4 at 7:30 a.m. at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, 403 N. 3rd St. Local elected officials will present legislative priorities for the Richmond region as developed through a collaborative effort by members of the 33-member RRPDC board. Invited guests include all local elected officials from RRPDC’s nine member jurisdictions, members of the General Assembly’s Capital Region Caucus, members of Congress representing the region and community business leaders. > Read more.