Colorful blooms of Crape Myrtles, the city tree, have been brightening Port Arthur for years, thanks to the Port Arthur Beautification Commission.

Members are working up a tree sale to honor Earth Day and invite the public to pick up Every Day is Earth Day litter bags at the commission’s new field office, 3248 39th Street.

Chairman Liz Segler has prepared environmental information. Bob Bodin trekked to Forest Hills, La. to secure four varieties of Crape Myrtles: Acoma, a semi-dwarf expected to peak at 5 to 10 feet; Dynamite, a true red; Basham's Party Pink, a lavender; and Miami, a dark pink. The latter three are standard size, expected to grace area yards and businesses at top heights of 20 to 25 feet.

Pick some up. Port Arthur can’t have enough Crape Myrtles.

Commissioners working on the project include J. C. Drake, Sal Grado and Aletha Kirkwood. The monthly meeting will be held at the Field Office at 2 p.m. on Earth Day, Tuesday, April 22. Earth Day activities will be from 4 to 7 p.m.

Read up for more ways to keep the earth happy:

Celebrate Earth Day with Your Car

With gas so high, try these Car Care Council tips to protect your investment and the environment:

• Drive Green — If you have to drive your car on Earth Day, recognize that how your drive has a lot to do with fuel economy. Avoid sudden starts and stops and go the speed limit. Jerky and aggressive driving decreases your miles per gallon and increases wear and tear on your vehicle.

• Get a Tune-Up — Regular tune-ups, maintenance and having clean air filters will help your car pollute less and burn less gas. With a proper tune-up, you can save four percent on the cost of gas and up to 40 percent by replacing a faulty oxygen sensor. Simply changing the car’s air filter can improve efficiency by 10 percent.

• Lighten the Load — Get the junk out of the trunk and the stuff out of your car, with the exception of emergency items such as a spare tire, flares and a first-aid kit. Extra items weigh the vehicle down and cause an increase in gas usage.

• Tire Checks — According to the Car Care Council, around two billion gallons of gas each year could be saved if the tires on every American’s car were properly inflated. Optimal tire pressure for your vehicle is listed in the owner’s manual. Tires that are not properly inflated add rolling resistance that makes the engine work harder to move the vehicle. All of this increases fuel costs as much as three to five cents a gallon and increases the risk of engine damage.

• Gas Caps and Fill-Ups — Check your vehicle’s gas cap. About 17 percent of vehicles on the road have loose, damaged or missing gas caps, causing 147 million gallons of gas to vaporize every year. Topping off your gas tank when filling up your car can also release harmful vapors into the environment.