DID YOU EVER WONDER: On the menu: One decaf latté, one doughnut, one driver license?

Do you ever wonder why no one has put some kind of coffee stand or hot dog cart or a snack cart in front of the old and crowded Department of Motor Vehicles office on Austin Bluffs Parkway? Someone could make tons of money out there. There is absolutely nothing to do while you stand there for hours and don’t dare get out of line to run for coffee or something.
— Nora Graybill

ANSWER: Great idea. Maybe your question will inspire some enterprising barista or taco vendor to check into it. The property where the driver license bureau is located is privately owned, so approval would have to come from the owner.

To pay, or not to pay

Since 300 passed, why did I receive my quarterly Stormwater Enterprise billing on Nov. 14, and do I have to pay it?
— Kathy Bullock

ANSWER: As of today, yes.
The city says it will “continue to pursue collection of past due accounts and continue to bill for the rest of 2009 as Issue 300 does not take effect until 2010.”
Here’s the “however.” Everything about 300 is in a state of flux and the Stormwater Enterprise is on the City Council’s discussion agenda for its regular meeting Monday.

Where do old batteries go to die safely?

As you know, Colorado Springs Fire Department issued a suggestion to change the batteries in smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors at the same time we were resetting our clocks for Daylight Saving Time. As disposal of used batteries is no longer permitted in our usual trash, where can the old, used batteries be recycled?  I have a bunch from last year’s detectors and have some concerns about possible shorts causing a fire.
— Jim Doolittle

ANSWER: There’s a wealth of information about every type of recycling — including batteries — in the El Paso County Recycling Directory, elpasoco.com or call 520-7878. Also, some of the trash haulers offer upgraded recycling or provide recycling sources.

What about my old fire extinguisher?

I had the same question about old fire extinguishers. I saw a fireman outside the building at the Cimarron Hills fire department who said to leave them there and they would dispose of them. Had to just leave them by the door as no one answered when we took the extinguishers back.
— Nancy

ANSWER: Most fire departments don’t accept worn-out fire extinguishers and instead direct citizens to the El Paso County site listed above. This is a complete recycling directory covering just about everything except tires.
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Send questions to linda.navarro@gazette.com with “Column Question” in the subject line; mail to “Did You Ever Wonder?,” P.O. Box 1779, Colorado Springs 80901; blog at gazette.com, Life. Queries must be signed. No personal replies.