Calendars are tough to toss.

They're like friends who keep us organized, never talk back and always cheer us up. I'm thinking of surrounding myself with song birds in exotic locations in 2009, having spent 2008 enjoying native plants in unlikely locations. My desk is way more cheery than the view out the window.

So why would I just flip those gorgeous photos away like used cereal boxes?

The kittens, puppies, trains, planes, automobiles, surfers, fish, mountains and firefighters on our walls had nothing to do with the events that unfolded during this miserable year. They deserve a better end than getting bundled into a big wad of recycling with ordinary newspaper.

Western State Hospital patients are giving us just that. The hospital offers art classes as therapy, and collages are a favorite medium. To replenish supplies, the Department of Social and Health Services is harvesting calendars, greeting cards, magazines, anything with pretty pictures.

You can bring them to drop boxes at:

* Western State Hospital Administration, Building 18, 9601 Steilacoom Blvd. S.W.

* DSHS Health and Recovery Services Administration reception, 626 8th Ave S.E., Cherry Street Plaza, Olympia.

* Frontier Bank, 1102 Commerce St. Suite 100, Tacoma.

* The News Tribune lobby, 1950 S. State St., Tacoma.

The Daffodil Festival is looking for volunteers to sit on a citizen advisory board and guide it through tough financial times.

Citizens on the committee would advise the Daffodilians, the group that runs the festival, about how to make 76-year-old event appeal to the local community.

Organizers have repeatedly said that without a substantial increase in fundraising, they won't have the money to put on the festival or its annual Grand Floral Parade in 2010.

The idea for a citizens committee came up in two public workshops the Daffodilians held in November. Citizens and local stakeholders said the festival organizers should seek community input through some sort of board or committee.

The committee will meet monthly with Daffodil Festival organizers and report to the Daffodilians' executive board.

"Initially, it will just be making sure we're on track and staying relevant," said Robyn DeLorm, the festival's development director. "We want to open our doors more and have the benefit of outside eyes."

The festival's Grand Floral Parade runs through Tacoma, Puyallup, Sumner and Orting every spring.

Last year, 23 local high schools nominated Daffodil Princesses to compete for the title of Daffodil Queen and more than $50,000 in scholarships.

Festival spokeswoman Susan McGuire said she hopes citizen involvement will help raise awareness about all the things the Daffodil Festival does in the community.

"I don't think people understand what we do," McGuire said. "We're trying as hard as we can to keep it alive. That's why we're putting this idea in motion."

The first meeting of the citizen advisory committee is to be held 6 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 21. A location is still to be determined.

Anyone interested in being involved should contact Robyn DeLorm at 253-826-0275 or by e-mail at robyn@daffodilfestival.net.

It's tough to imagine a story more wrenching than that of the teen accused of drowning her newborn son in Port Angeles, then putting his body in the trash.

The girl was pregnant in October, when she moved from Pueblo, Colo., to Port Angeles to live with her father, who has a long, long criminal history. She may not have known that,in this state, she could have her baby, transfer him into caring hands, and walk away. The solution to her desperate problem was as close as a fire station or hospital.

She is in jail, as is her father, who is accused of helping her throw the baby away.

Searchers found the baby's body in a shipment of trash taken to Graham.

The state's Department of Social and Health Services communications staff is reminding reporters that Washington's Safe Haven Law was enacted to prevent these tragedies. They want us to get the word out, and we are happy to oblige.

Since 2002, it has been legal for parents to leave newborns at hospitals and staffed fire stations. The baby can be up to 72 hours old. The parent or parents do not have to give their name, or any other information. Yes, people will ask them questions, but the parents can just walk away.

This law is the emergency exit from an untenable situation: The baby lives. No one goes to jail.

If you'd like more information on the law, or if you'd like to order posters or get a list of resources, DSHS has a helpful Web site:

http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/ca/safety/sfAbLaw.asp?1