Nice weather and calming temperatures is a pretty good reason for fellowship, food and fun, and members of the Selma City Council are offering the public a chance to do just that.

Selma City Ward 1 councilwoman Susan Keith and Ward 4 councilwoman Angela Benjamin invite the public to their Spring Fling BYOBBB, or Bring Your Own Blanket, Basket and Beverage, to Phoenix Park Friday, April 20 at 5:30 p.m. Hear music from local talents and Concordia’s jazz band.

“Bring your picnic basket of food (and) blankets,” Keith said. “It’s a free event. Come and enjoy local talent, a sense of community and come and have fun.”

Benjamin said the event is a way to encourage unity and enjoy Selma.

“Bring your family and friends,” Benjamin said. “It’s time for us to start using our green space in Selma and why not start at Phoenix Park. It’s set up for it … it’s a very casual event. Let your hair down and unwind.”

Demetrius Myatt, who is working with Keith and Benjamin on the event, said the gala would be a great way for youth to connect with each other.

“This is going to be a great initiative for our community and our young people,” Myatt said. “We’re going to try to kick this off with our summer program. We’re hoping all the community will come out and support our effort.”

In addition to the Spring Fling, Keith is also coordinating a recycling project for the historic Civil Rights Trail, which includes Selma.

With recycling bins already in, Keith said, the event is to encourage Selma to be eco-friendly.

“We’re initially going to be recycling newspaper, mixed paper, plastic and … cardboard,” Keith said. “There will be three slots — there will be a slot for paper … plastic and a special bin for cardboard.”

Keith said recycling not only helps the environment, it extends the life of landfills and puts people to work.

“There are jobs and there’s money in recycling … there’s no money in waste,” Keith said. “It (recycling) makes the community look nicer (and) it’s being good stewards of the earth; we’re going to have to reduce waste and recycle … it’s just the right thing to do.”

The event, Keith said, will kickoff before or after Earth Day, April 22.