Christmas Day Schedule Changes, Christmas Tree Mulching, and Zebra Mussels Near Havre de Grace

Lots of schedule changes are in effect for Christmas Day. The Baltimore Sun has a complete rundown here; a quick overview is as follows:

Schools, courts, banks, and public libraries are closed... Federal, state, and local government offices are closed as well. There's no regular mail delivery from the post office... although express mail is still being delivered. There's no regular trash or recycling pickup around the state; if you live in Baltimore City, your makeup day is Saturday. There are no MARC trains or commuter buses. Holiday schedules are in effect for local MTA buses, the light rail, and the Metro Subway. And it's a parking meter holiday -- so there's no need to feed the meters if you end up going out today.

Once the holiday is over, you'll probably be looking to get rid of your Christmas Tree. And most jurisdictions will turn it into mulch for you. Folks who live in Baltimore County, Anne Arundel County and parts of Howard County can put their trees out for collection in early January with their other recyclables. In Baltimore City, you can put your tree on the curb for pickup -- but if you want it to be turned into mulch, you'll have to take them to the Reedbird Avenue Citizen Convenience Center any Friday or Saturday in January (via the Baltimore Sun).

Nearly two dozen invasive zebra mussels were found in the Chesapeake Bay waters near Havre De Grace earlier this month. Biologists with the state's Department of Natural Resources say it's evidence that the bivalves have taken a hold in Maryland. Zebra mussels can cause significant damage to native ecosystems -- and can cause billions of dollars in economic damages as well. DNR officials are urging boaters to take precautions so that they don't spread the mussels even further (via our wire service, WJZ, and the Cecil Whig). 

In sports: The Ravens are gearing up for Sunday's regular season finale against the Bengals this week. On Sunday, the Ravens earned a resounding 33-14 win over the Giants on Sunday to clinch the AFC North and improve to 10-and-5. The Ravens will host either Cincinnati or the Indianapolis Colts during Wild Card Weekend. Tickets for that playoff game will go on sale Friday at ten a.m. (via our wire service, WJZ, and the Baltimore Sun).  

And: The Baltimore Orioles are reportedly nearing a contract extension for manager Buck Showalter. The deal would keep Showalter in Baltimore beyond 2013, when his current contract expires (via our wire service and the Baltimore Sun).