ENVIRONMENT / Notes about your surroundings.

By the Book--Turn old telephone directories into paper for new ones under a recycling program sponsored by the Pacific Bell Directory, the cities of north and inland Orange County, the County of Orange and local waste haulers and recycling companies. Residents in cities with curbside recycling can place old directories in the appropriate container. Five drop-off locations have also been set up in northern and inland areas for those without curbside recycling and for multifamily residences and businesses. The program continues through Dec. 30. The locations: CVT Recycling, 1131 N. Blue Gum St., Anaheim; Buena Park City Hall, 6650 Beach Blvd.; the parking lot of the Cypress Chamber of Commerce, 9471 Walker St.; the parking lot of La Palma City Hall, 7822 Walker St.; and Orange Resource Recovery, 2050 N. Glassell St., Orange. Information: (800) 953-4400. The recycling program for South County is scheduled for March and April.

Bay Sights--Put on your walking shoes and join the Friends of Newport Bay for a stroll through Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve on Saturday. Large numbers of birds, fish and mammals make their home in the coastal marsh and may be seen during the two-hour tour, which covers about a mile. Small groups will depart between 9 to 10:15 a.m. from the corner of Eastbluff and Backbay drives. Bring along a hat, bird book and binoculars. Free tours are given the second Saturday of each month through March 13. Information: Dick Kust, (949) 786-8878.

Holiday Twirl--Orange County Sierra Club Singles will be celebrating the holidays at the group’s annual Christmas dance Dec. 14, 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. at the Costa Mesa Community Center, 1845 Park Ave. Learn more about the outdoors-oriented group. Cost is $5-$10. Information: Lee Stern, (949) 768-6662.

* Send items for consideration to Vicky Clepper, The Times Orange County, 1375 Sunflower Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92626. Fax: (714) 966-7711.