By Ted AYALA

Where do you go to recycle your browning Christmas tree after the holidays? Or find easy-to-access information about Glendale’s current fiscal status? The answers to these pressing questions – and more than a few others – can be found just a mouse-click away via the City of Glendale’s City Connections e-newsletter.

Sent out once a month, City Connections gives Glendalians a chance to keep up on the state of the city, find out about city services, and keep up-to-date on new ordinances, among many other things.

“It serves as hub for information about Glendale,” said Tamar Hadjimanoukian, a representative from the city’s Public Information Office. “It is a one-stop shop for citizens to see what is happening and what is coming up across the city. There is information provided from all city departments. We think it provides a good snapshot of Glendale.”

Initially a quarterly flyer that was mailed to Glendale residents, the turn towards web outreach began two years ago and has since proved to be a successful tool for the city. The choice to go fully online was out of concern for paper waste, reaching as wide a swathe of residents as possible and keeping budget costs down.

“Going green is good for the environment and good for our budget,” she noted. “It is much more financially efficient to go online.”

Among the recent successes City Connections has enjoyed was in rallying a good turnout for the rollout of phase 1 of the Glendale Narrows Riverwalk on Wednesday.

We were happy with the turnout,” said Hadjimanoukian.

Glendale has also thrown a wide net for its community outreach, with even a Twitter (@MyGlendale) garnering close to 1,300 followers.

“This is the future and a great way for all of us to stay connected,” she said.

To sign up for the City Connections newsletter, visit www.ci.glendale.ca.us/glendalecityconnection_signup.asp.

To find past issues go to www.ci.glendale.ca.us/glendalecityconnection_archive.aspx.

  Ted Ayala