Q. The city announced that it would expand the community recycling program, which uses those big white bins at schools. How would a school that doesn't have a bin now arrange to get one?

A. City recycling coordinator Suzanne Jones said the city is looking to add more than 40 new community bins, and schools can call if they want to host one. She said the amount of money the schools get is likely to rise when the contract is renegotiated to include a higher fee that can be collected for the HI-5 deposit containers that are now worth a nickel apiece.

"The whole program is going to be put out to bid with new contracts," Jones said. For a complete list of the bins and other recycling information, go to www.opala.org or call the environmental concern line at 692-5656.

City Environmental Services Director Eric Takamura said the city also plans to put at least two more bins in the community, one in the Waikiki Beachwalk area and another at a park near Nu'uanu.

Q. There are two huge potholes on the Pali Highway Kailua-bound as you're entering the second tunnel in the slow lane. Can you tell me what's taking so long to fix them?

A. State Transportation Department spokesman Scott Ishikawa said those have been fixed but the state is still working on other potholes on the town side of Pali Highway.

Q. I heard there is a way to get free telephone directory assistance, even on cell phones. Is that for real?

A. Yes. Free nationwide 411 service is available at (800) FREE 411 or (800) 373-3411. The automated voice asks you for "city and state please," and then business, government or residential, and then provides the number if it recognizes what you say. You need to speak clearly, so it may take a try or two but I tried it and got accurate information. And I also checked it out at www.snopes.com, the urban legends Web site that explained it is supported by ads. The times I called, an additional call connections service was no longer offered.

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