1. Become a
Member!
October-November 2008
Your membership dues
help fund CNA’s work to build
community in Creston and You’re Invited!
make it the great place to live
and do business that it is!
Creston Neighborhood Annual Meeting
Thursday, October 23rd
Palmer Elementary School
7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Annual meeting brings neighborly fun and opportunities to serve
Hello neighbors! Fall is upon us, which means it is rewarding experience full of opportunities to get to
time for our CNA Annual Meeting. We hope you will know your neighbors as friends and develop
join us on October 23rd, as we are eager to share our important leadership skills.
progress, introduce new staff, hear your vision for the
neighborhood and invite you to share your talents If you have skills and perspectives you would like to
and skills through a number of exciting volunteer share with the community, please consider filling out
opportunities. an application to serve on the CNA Board of
Directors. Board members can either be voted on by
One particular volunteer opportunity we would like the membership at the annual meeting or appointed
to highlight is that of serving on the CNA Board of throughout the year as vacant positions become
Directors. Our board has been busy planning available. Applications may be requested by phone
programs and strengthening the infrastructure of our or email at 616.454.7900 and creston@sbcglobal.net,
organization. Board members guide policy, develop or picked up at the CNA office. Completed
programs to address community needs, plan applications should be submitted to the CNA office by
fundraising and outreach events, and much more. Monday, October 20th at 5:00 p.m. If you have
While there is much to be done at CNA, and it is questions about what it means to serve on the board,
important that board members have adequate time please don’t hesitate to contact us at the office. One
to dedicate to their volunteer service, we always have of our current board members would be happy to chat
fun working together toward our goals. It is a with you and answer any questions you may have.
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
Inside this issue…
205 Carrier NE Introduction to new CNA staff members, Summer Fun in Creston, New
Creston Neighborhood Association murals in our neighborhood, Community Calendar and more!

2. Greetings Creston Neighbors Creston Community Calendar
Fall Storytime
from your new Executive Director, Fridays October 3 through December 5
10:30am at Van Belkum Branch Library
Deborah Eid! Join us each week for stories, songs, crafts, and play
activities. Storytimes are free and open to preschoolers CNA Annual Meeting
ages 3-5 and their families. No registration is required. Thursday, October 23
What a great tradition of community 7:00-
7:00-9:00pm at Palmer Elementary School
building here in Creston! Creston Town Hall Meeting See results from the past year, learn of the board’s vision
Thursday, October 9 for the neighborhood, meet new staff members, elect new
I feel honored to have been chosen to help 7-8:00pm at North Park Presbyterian Church board members, and find out more about volunteer op-
lead this strong and growing 30 year old Mingle with neighbors and pick up a copy of the Creston portunities.
grassroots organization. Special thanks go Neighborhood Resource Directory.
Creston Town Hall Meeting
out to the recent and current staff of CNA for
Fun with Ferrets! Wednesday, November 5
helping me with this time of transition. Saturday, October 11 7-8pm at Riverside Christian Reformed Church
3:00pm at Van Belkum Branch Library Mingle with neighbors and pick up a copy of the Creston
CNA and I became friends eight years ago Neighborhood Resource Directory.
Join Dee Gage and some of her ferret friends and
when I joined the organizers as a parent members of West Michigan Ferret Connection. Learn
volunteer working to bring change to the about basic care and feeding of ferrets, their health, and Creston Town Hall Meeting
Grand Rapids area public schools my children history. Is a ferret the right pet for you? For ages 7 and Thursday, November 13
attend. Since my move here from Chicago up. No registration is required. 12:00-
12:00-1:00pm at Trinity Baptist Church
Mingle with neighbors and pick up a copy of the Creston
twelve years ago I’ve bought my holiday Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament Neighborhood Resource Directory.
chocolates from Sweetland, my fresh produce 12—
Sunday, October 12—Wednesday, October 15
and homemade kielbasa for our family’s The Break Room Dumpster Days
boiled dinners from Kingma’s, listened to Proceeds will benefit CNA’s AmeriCorps VISTA Tuesday, October 18
music at Quinn and Tuite’s when it was Pete program. Berean Baptist Church
Clean out your house or apartment before winter and
Brown’s office, read books in the library long Mothers of Preschoolers Group bring all your trash here and dispose of it free of charge.
before it became the Red Ball Jet Café, and Thursday, October 16
neighbors, all of whom are volunteers. Art
roller bladed, hiked, biked and cheered on the 9:00-
9:00-11:15am
Battle wowed me before I was even on staff.
sports teams at Riverside Park, bought art at New preschoolers group for moms of kids, infant to six
Nine different community building events years old. To RSVP or for detailed information contact
the Artist’s Market, and jammed on the
have been held in this past summer. Read up St. James Lutheran Church at 616-363-7718.
Grand.
on those successes inside this newsletter. In
My mandate here at CNA brings me the October I hope to meet you and hear your
opportunity to apply all my trades and hopes for our neighborhood at our annual The Creston Neighborhood Association The North End Connection is the
Creston Neighborhood Association newsletter of the Creston Neighborhood
interests; organizing and social justice meeting on the 23rd at Palmer School at 7pm. 205 Carrier NE
Board of Directors meets on the fourth
Thursday of most months. Meetings are Association, published 6 times a year.
advocacy, teaching and studying sustainable Grand Rapids, MI 49505 open to the public—contact our office for Circulation: 1000. Advertising space
business through Aquinas, especially as it 616.454.7900 Fax 616.454.8190 time and location. is available. Contact our office for
applies to growing our local economy. Here at www.crestongr.com rate information.
Board of Directors
CNA we are partnering with Creston See pages 8-9 for more Tommy Allen Newsletter contributors:
Business Association and the Local Office Hours Glenn Disosway Tommy Allen, Carol Brugger, Deborah
Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) to information on all of the Monday-Friday 9am-2pm Candace Gavin (Secretary)
Pastor Charles Geschiere (Vice President)
Eid, Candace Gavin, Charles Geschiere,
Ruth Kelly, Megan Kruis,
revitalize the Creston Corridor. Sara Kasprzak (Treasure)
successes of Creston The Creston Neighborhood Association is a
Nicole Natario-Risk (President) Christa Lensen, Emily Martin, Kaylee
Milanowski, Nicole Notario-Risk,
Jennifer VanderMey
In the three months since I came on board events this summer! nonprofit organization serving the northeast Dorothy Velasco Catalanotti (Associate Member) Elisa Van Dyke
Grand Rapids community whose boundaries
as your director, I’ve enjoyed event after are Leonard Street to the south, the Grand
Jeff Winston
A City of Grand Rapids Community
event, all of them organized and led by an River to the west, Four Mile Road to the Staff Development Block Grant Funded Program
North, then Plainfield Avenue south to I-96 Deborah Eid, Executive Director
amazing committed and capable group of and along the city corporation line to Knapp Sue Capps, Executive Assistant The views and opinions expressed are not
Street, east to Fuller Avenue, then south Mackenzie Brown, Community Safety Organizer necessarily those of the staff, Board of
to Leonard Street. Membership is open to Kaylee Milanowski, VISTA Volunteer Directors or membership of the organization.
anyone inside or outside of these boundaries. Christa Lenssen, VISTA Volunteer
Page 2 The North End Connection October-November 2008 Page 15

3. Shop Creston Town
Hall Meetings
Local! Come pick up your copy of the
Creston Neighborhood Resource
Did you know, when you Directory (CNRD)! The CNRD, a
shop at locally-owned guide that includes city agencies,
businesses, more of the non-profits, churches, schools, and
informational tips, is finally finished!
money you spend stays
It helps answer questions about who
in our local economy to call concerning housing issues,
supporting other locally- your health and wellness, safety tips,
owned businesses? your neighborhood and community,
locations of area food pantries, care
for your children, and much more. Introducing Creston’s new
We will be distributing these
directories at our four interactive Community Safety Organizer,
community meetings to be held
throughout
join us at
the neighborhood. Come
one of these town hall
MacKenzie Brown
meetings: Mac started his new life as a Mac is originally from Battle
community organizer with Creek, Michigan and majored
Creston Neighborhood on in Public and Non Profit
7-
November 5; 7-8pm September 9, 2008. He hit the Administration at GVSU,
Riverside Christian Reformed Church ground running, taking calls currently completing a second
602 Comstock NE and concerns from neighbors, Bachelors degree in Philosophy.
meeting with our community
12-
November 13; 12-1pm beat police officer, and pulling His interest in community
Trinity Baptist Church together the block captains who development led to an intern-
2050 Aberdeen NE participate in the Public Safety ship with the city planner of
Committee for their first Cedar Springs, and his interest
meeting since the departure in philosophy keeps him reading
At the meetings you can learn all while working a few hours at
about the Creston Neighborhood of our long-time and very
committed CPO, Mary Beuche. his bookseller’s job he’s held for
Resource Directory as well as talk several years. He also enjoys
with agency representatives Her work with the neighbor-
hood has laid a groundwork biking, fishing and traveling.
highlighted in the guide and mingle
with your fellow neighbors. Light that gives Mac a skilled and Mac says that he looks forward
refreshments will be provided. willing volunteer corps. to exploring the rest of the
Linda Hayes passed the neighborhood and getting to
Access to a computer? Log onto know the residents. “This
crestongr.com to view our electronic community development and
housing work baton to Mac, neighborhood has an esteemed
version of the Creston Neighborhood history and many dedicated
Resource Directory. and he’ll be at the upcoming
dumpster days events on residents. I hope to maintain
October 4th at Fourth Reformed and build on that reputation.
Church and October 18th at I’m proud to be with CNA and
Berean Baptist. will do my best to fulfill the
vision and mission of your
volunteer board.”
Page 14 The North End Connection October-November 2008 Page 3

4. A Gateway to the Imagination Welcome New Members!
William and Martha Aldrich Roy and Eleanor DuPraw Mary Rodenburg
within. Tommy Allen and Michael Pfleghaar Sally Emery Margaret and Seena Schoenwandt
The use of common design Marc and Pam Amante Diane Ensley Rudolph and Ilene Seadal
elements found within our Veronica Aungst David and Mary Ann Gaylord Roxann S. Shier
neighborhood business district Anne Bachle Fifer and Mark Fifer Paul Haan and Julie Nietling Rick Szczepanski
teamed with the mural’s location Sally Barnes Marvin C. and Delores Haight Nikita Szymczak
act as visual alert of the things to Jeff and Robin Bartlett Fred and Sue Harvey Diane and Mike Teeter
come. It provides a gateway to the Georgeand Jan Bertoia Linda Hayes Margaret Tingley
imagination and what is possible Mary Bierlein Christopher Helmick and Kurtis Barb and James VanderPloeg
when we come together. Kenneth and Jeanne Bishop Carlson Douglas VanMeurs
Jerry Bohr Bill and Elva Hirsch Lucas and Sarah Wepman
Even more important is the Frank and Ann Bongiomo Mary Jo and Robert Hoving Byron and Mitzi Zeilbeck
students who worked to create this Carol Brugger Stan and Jean Jarosz Business Members
project included their likeness on Susan Bryant Christine Keller and Nate Beversluis Second Congregational Church
bright circles that reflect the Mary Bueche William and Doris Kooyer Kay Pharmacy
This past July the Creston neighborhood got to see cultural rings of society that overlap in our lives. Marie Buffington Mandy Lozon Kent Country Club
the installing of the first ever collaboration of CNA This exciting addition wonderfully reflects the Mary Carter Danny Lynn Berean Baptist Church
with UICA’s ArtWorks program. diversity of faces found within our community and Jim and Betts Casey Karen Lyons and Judy Johnson Kingma's Market
how, like the mighty river, will flow into the future. Larry and Marcia DeBoer Don and Mary Lou McDonald
The project is mentored by a local artist and brings Creston Business Association
James and Marjorie DeLoof Marilyn Mejsak Weatherhead & Sons, Inc.
together a group of students to work closely with These graffiti
Theresa and Ted Diduch Maureen Milanowski Hansen/Balk Steel Treating Co.
community members and the CNA staff & board. styled portraits
Glenn and Sue Disosway Janet Morlock and Larry Byrd Presto Print Inc.
w e r e a n
Through the students research considered Robert Divita Patrick and Pat Murray Heule Gordon Inc.
unexpected
community member’s comments and repackaged John and Marilyn Dooge Doug and Anne Poortenga Sun Title Agency, LLC
addition reflect-
what they heard in a series of ideas on paper of what ing the art of
the final mural would look like. their generation.
What was most exciting about this venture was This project is
right from the very beginning it became very clear possible through
the students had a unique perspective on our the support of
community. t he Cr es to n
The mural presents a vibrant vision of our business B u s i n e s s
district unfolded in bold, bright colors reflecting a Association, the
diverse community and the activities that occur S t e e l c a s e
Foundation and
LISC for their
funding, Quality
Craft Upholstery for the use of their building exterior
and most of all the many volunteers and financial
contributors to CNA who came together to make our
community’s commitment to a vibrant public arts dis-
trict a reality.
Please watch the news for upcoming other arts
projects as CNA begins to create a destination public
arts district. If one would be interested in funding
these upcoming projects, please contact Tommy Allen
at tommyallen@crestongr.com for design details on
the project.
Page 4 The North End Connection October-November 2008 Page 13

5. CNA Board Member Profile, TOMMY ALLEN
Calling all Fun Loving Seniors! Tommy Allen is no stranger to Neighbor” events. He sees the
Like to play Bridge? Bingo? A favorite of many CNA
C-Snip Serves neighborhood activity. He was events as friend-building Tommy’s Creston
Dance? Sing? Want to make seniors is the Wednesday involved in the East Hills neighbor- opportunities and arenas for highlights:
new friends and participate in afternoon Bridge. All you need CNA Residents hood while living there and
naturally became involved in his
neighbors to “put every-day-
community into action.”
these fun activities? to do is come on Wednesday
Northview Schools Senior
about 11:30am and join a table.
It’s a really friendly group and
and their Pets new neighborhood when he moved
to the north end. Tommy has also been behind
C r es to n’ s s u bt l y d e v el op i n g
Favorite restaurant:
Red Ball Jet Café
Center provides all these many ride share to help those
activities and much more. The Pets and their care takers are lucky Tommy’s acquaintance with the consistent public face, with its new Favorite Creston
who don’t drive. to live in West Michigan where the Creston Neighborhood Association logo and soon to be updated website,
Center is at 5255 Grand River recreational activity:
Dr. There are activities every To learn more about the C-Snip organization has pledged began with volunteering on Creston crestongr.com. Hanging out at
weekday and special events, Center, call 365-6151 for to significantly reduce the over Corridor Initiative committees.
population of cats and dogs by He has been an enthusiastic Sazerac Lounge
luncheons, trips, etc. through- information and newsletter. With an artist’s skills for public
providing low-cost spay and neuter relations and marketing, Tommy’s participant in the organization’s
out the year. work to increase membership Creston’s Best
services and by supporting all creativity has served Creston Kept Secret:
e f f o r ts t h a t p r o mo t e h u m a n e well over his years of service on because he strongly believes in the
importance of investing in one’s Kingma’s pear cider,
population control. committees and nearly five years
community. To Tommy, member- and the gift section at
on the Board of Directors.
Since April 2001 they have sterilized ship in the Creston Neighborhood Stone’s Throw
over 37,000 dogs and cats, many of Most recently, neighbors have Association is a way to contribute to
them from the Creston area. Their fees benefited from Tommy’s ingenuity work neighbors believe in but are
are low and reduced or waived when through the series of “Hello, not able to accomplish on their own.
necessary. They have moved from
their mobile unit to a permanent
building in Kentwood. They are able 28th Annual Aberdeen Celebration in the Park
to do many more animals each year in
their new facility. “This is one of the biggest crowds together thanks to the perfect Elementary School, Aberdeen
we’ve ever had.” weather and the excellent Reformed Church, Creston
C-Snip has many specials throughout
entertainment provided by the Neighborhood Association, Van
the year where they may neuter male “Wow! There are a lot of things Calder City Concert Band. Belkum Library, Second Congre-
cats for only $10, or have a two for one for the kids.” gational Preschool. Grand Rapids
special. Call or go to their website for On behalf of the board, staff and
“What a great family evening!” Police Department K9 Unit,
these specials. volunteers of the Creston Grand Rapids Fire Department,
“ S om et h i n g f o r e v e r y on e ! Neighborhood Association, we Grand Rapids Parks and
If you have a pet that needs C-Snip’s
Wonderful entertainment!” offer a BIG thank you to these Recreation, Grand Rapids Dog
services, contact them for an
community groups for making Agility Team, Grand Rapids
appointment at 455-8220 or These are just some of the this year’s event a tremendous Karate Academy, John Ball Zoo
C-Snip.org. comments overheard at the 28th success. We appreciate the Traveling Animals.
Annual, Aberdeen Celebration in generosity and community spirit
the Park, held Wednesday, of participants; Immanuel-St Special thanks to CarStar
August 13, 2008. Friends, James School, Trinity Baptist Collision and Roger Williams for
families and neighbors in the Church, Aberdeen Reformed sponsoring the very popular
Creston/North End/North Park Church, Riverside Christian children’s Bounce House and to
neighborhoods had a great time Reformed Church, Aberdeen Calder City Concert Band for the
excellent entertainment.
Aberdeen Celebration in the Park would not be possible without the financial support of these
businesses: Car Star Collision, Royce, Rolls Ringer, Bastien Chiropractic, Pilar’s Café, Dr. Spears,
O.D., Dale Gould Insurance Agency, Encore Consignment & Sample Shop, Kay Pharmacy &
Home Medical Equipment, Van Andel Flikkema Chrysler Jeep, Weatherhead & Sons Windows
and Remodeling, The Book Corral, Red Ball Jet Café, Baker Catering, FedCom Credit Union,
Culver, Wood and Culver, Roger Nerli, CPA, O’Brien and O’Brien Dentistry
Page 12 The North End Connection October-November 2008 Page 5

6. Green Gathering: Ideas Affordable Home Improvement Loans Available
Ready to tackle that roof pro- improvements that will increase than 24 units. The interest rate
one way we can do group, for example, focused on ject? Is it time for a more energy energy efficiency and reduce is fixed at 8%. There are no
just that. Suzanne how to increase the tree canopy efficient furnace? Despite the utility bills over the long income requirements for land-
Schultz, city planner, and capture rainwater, while headlines that chat about a term. It is also a way to make a lords, but the rental units must
welcomed 300 accommodating cars, bikes, and credit crunch, there are special home more accessible. meet MSHDA rental limit guide-
residents who came busses. Everyone was in favor of loans available for homeowners lines.
to contribute ideas more tree planting and diversity AND landlords. Homeowners can borrow up to
about preserving (think emerald ash borer), but $50,000. MSHDA does not Locally, Chemical Bank is a
and enhancing our there were other issues. Should The Michigan State Housing require equity in the home for participating lender. Contact
natural resources and we have medians or curb bump- Development Authority loans $25,000 and under, making Linnea Cumming, 785-2563 for
infrastructure, and outs that add plant life and help (MSHDA) has a Property it the ideal product for a new more information.
assured us that slow traffic? Should we plant in Improvement Program homeowner or existing home-
resident participation continuous strips? How many specifically for households of low- owner with limited equity.
has already impacted different tree species should be in to-moderate income. Because we can amortize the
policymaking. one area? Where should sidewalks loan up to 20 years, the monthly
Mayor George Heartwell addresses attendees of Eligible home improvements payments are very affordable for
be? Are we willing to give up
the Green Gathering held at DeVos Place At the forum include: repairing or replacing a those on a fixed income. The
street parking in certain districts?
residents considered roof; adding insulation; replacing interest rate for homeowners is
Green Grand Rapids is a city-
a variety of topics: a furnace; adding new siding; 4%, 6%, or 8%, depending upon
wide planning process that
remodeling the kitchen;
focuses on the sustainable natural systems, income.
health, the Grand upgrading an existing bathroom;
development of our urban
installing a ramp; and other Landlords can borrow up
community. To date, public River, and parks.
similar improvements. to $25,000 per unit, with a
involvement in this process has A slide show that
maximum outstanding limit of
included “Green Pursuits,” a incl uded aeri al
With energy costs continuing $100,000 per borrower. Eligible
game that spurs ideas for green photographs showed to rise, this program is an properties cannot have more
i n i t i a t i v e s , a n d “ G r e e n how much of our city affordable way to make
Gatherings,” community-wide is concrete, much
forums that further define what a like other U.S.
vibrant, green city looks like. urban areas where
green space
How do we influence city policy- averages just 15
makers to work toward a green p e r c e n t . While
ROSES... & THORNS...
u r b a n c o m m u n i t y ? G r e e n Grand Rapids is on To GRFD and Kingma's for their support of To those neighbors who think their
Gathering: Ideas, held in June, is the green track, Attendees participate in a group session where
the Firemen and Frankfurter fundraiser front lawn is a parking lot
w i t h
more LEED-certified Do we want bike lanes? These are To those neighbors whose front yard gardens To Fat Boy's closing
buildings (Leadership the kinds of decisions the city is set a beautiful example for the rest of us
in Energy and asking residents to weigh in on. To Burger King in Cheshire Village
Environmental To the neighbors along Oakwood and going against their promise and
Design) per capita Those who attended agree that Aberdeen for planting and maintaining the now being open 24 hours
than any other city in Green Gatherings is worthwhile. mini gardens in the traffic islands
the country, the goal Noah Kruis, a CNA board
is to match cities like member said, “I was impressed by To everyone who plants flowers
Seattle, w h i c h the turnout and how knowledge- in their front yards so
achieved 30 percent able participants were about the passersby can enjoy
green space in 2007. technical aspects of greening. I
was also glad to see that Riverside To Riverside Park—the bike
It’s a complex Park rose to the top as a priority
process that often for protecting green space. I am path, frisbee course, and
involves trade-offs. excited to see some of these ideas natural beauty
People were encouraged to use alternative One Green Gathering implemented both in Riverside
transportation to get to the event, including
riding the Rapid, biking, and carpooling
Page 6 The North End Connection October-November 2008 Page 11

7. Green Gathering, cont’d.
Park and on the Plainfield make better use of the river, be
corridor. I just hope that it won’t better stewards of our resources,
take too long to see results!” create a strong urban canopy, and
Second Ward Commissioner
make parks accessible to all Texas Hold 'Em
families who live in the city. The
Rosalynn Bliss, who has been large number of people who Tournament
involved in the planning process participated sent a strong
from the start, said, “The conver- message that these are key October 12-15
sations throughout the night were
rich with ideas about how we can
priorities and have a significant 5pm-1am
impact on the quality of life in
The Creston Car Show – A Success! improve our current public spaces, Grand Rapids. I found myself
walking away with a renewed
Creston’s annual car show was a hit again this Thanks to the great turnout, the Car Show
year on Saturday, September 6th with more than Committee was able to give away a total of $6,750 sense of energy that, together, we
120 cars present. Three lively bands played for to four deserving organizations: North End can make a significant impact on
the many car enthusiasts who came out on the Community Ministries, Catherine’s Care Center, the future of our community by
beautiful late summer day. St. John’s Home and Two Trackers. A special creating a clear vision for green
thanks to the ROTC and Robotics volunteers from space.”
In addition to the interesting vehicles, the kids Creston High School. Hope to see all you again
had fun with the Bounce House and Rock As a participant in both Green
next year! Pursuits and Green Gathering, I
Climbing Wall donated by Mike and Dave Everts.
encourage you to become a part of
this process to improve urban Break Room
living, and to influence policy- 1359 Plainfield Ave NE
makers as they put our tax dollars Grand Rapids, MI 49505
to work. For more information, (616) 454-0899
call 616-456-3031, or visit
www.greengrandrapids.us. Proceeds benefit CNA’s
Attendees view maps of green spaces in AmeriCorps VISTA Program
Grand Rapids before the session begins
Creston High School Student Has Unique Internship Opportunity
by Elisa Van Dyke, Creston High School student
What are those Blue Bins and how do I get one? Without the Grand Rapids what it is like to be equals experiment you personally
On trash pick up day there are this may change. recycle yard waste brown paper Area Pre-College Engineer- completed is a whole
with the big dogs, and also
lots of blue plastic bins lining our bags. Residents buy the carts for
Northend streets. New residents Using the bins instead of putting $27.50 and tags cost $5.25 per use.
ing Program (GRAPCEP) at see what it is like to do different experience.
have wondered what they are for everything in trash bags saves They really hold a lot of yard Creston High School, the research. The relationship is
homeowners lots of money and This year, I will hopefully
and how to get them. Here’s the waste. last summer of my high very unique because at this
helps keep many reusable items be able to tackle my would-
scoop. school career would have time, Creston is the only
out of our landfills. Also, while we’re talking trash, be monotonous classes with
These recycle bins are a free did you know you can bring your probably been unproductive high school that the Van
The city now recycles so many a new mindset, having
service for all Grand Rapids City yard wastes to the Butterworth and boring. I was excited to Andel Institute partners
items that they need a brochure to read many (quite wordy)
residents and can be picked up at Street recycle dump weekdays and have the opportunity to have with.
the Recycle Office at 201 Market list them all! But, here is a short Saturdays 9:00am to 4:45pm? If scientific articles and
list: plastics coded 1-7, glass, a foretaste of what I may
St. SW weekdays from 7:30am to you have a truck or way to get the Throughout my eight week working with diseases. My
paper, cardboard, magazines, want to do for the rest of my
4:00pm. Call 616-456-3232 for branches, leaves etc. there you can internship, I became summer here has been very
questions. metal, grocery bags and batteries. save even more money on tags.
life.
proficient at a variety of rewarding and I’m sure it
If you are a gardener you may You must show a drivers license to Van Andel Institute has a will be helpful when I decide
Residents may get two free bins experiments, and learned a
want to invest in a big plastic yard prove you are a GR resident and
and extras cost just $5.00. At this no businesses are allowed to use
special partnership with the lot. Text books always have on college classes, and a
cart from the city as well. You can
time they are not available for
put all your cuttings, clippings etc. the site. It’s great for a once a GRAPCEP program, which pictures of cells, but to see future career.
apartments and businesses, but year spring clean-up! allows students to get to see it as the end result of an
in the bin instead of using the
Page 10 The North End Connection October-November 2008 Page 7

8. un Creston
er F in
mm
Pie Bake-Off
Su The skies cleared in time for a
beautiful evening at Riverside
Park for the CNA VISTAs’ Pie
Bake-Off, Saturday July 12.
Musicians Sam Kenny and
Riverside Park 5K Wildwood Folk each played
hour-long sets, while neighbors
The Third Annual Riverside Park 5K Run/Walk kept its promise: mingled and tasted a variety of
“Third time’s the charm.” Although clouds threatened the park, pies, ranging from ginger lemon
rain held off and a pleasant breeze refreshed runners and cream to old fashioned pecan.
walkers cruising through Riverside Park. Twelve contestants entered over
The race benefits community development programs of the 20 kinds of homemade pie,
presenting our judges with the Some of the delicious pies neighbors baked up to
Creston Neighborhood Association, including neighborhood enter into the pie contest and support CNA
organized efforts to keep Creston’s gem, Riverside Park, difficult task of choosing an
beautiful and ecologically healthy. Nearly seventy people
showed up early in the morning on Saturday, July 26 to winning pie. For their efforts,
volunteer or participate in the race, showing their support for Wright was awarded a $50 gift
the Creston Neighborhood. certificate to Bull’s Head Tavern
and two tickets to the Grand
The Riverside 5K draws many neighborhood athletes, but this Rapids Art Museum, and
Sandy Stuckhardt holds up the homemade goodness from Kingma’s Market
year one contestant from Little Rock, AK joined the race. Steve Kasprzak took home a $20 gift
Hollowell happened to be in Grand Rapids for a conference at the certificate to Kingma’s Market.
Frankfurters & Firemen Amway Grand Plaza Hotel. He discovered the race on on-line, and
visited Riverside Park the night before the race to check out the We had a great time concocting
On a beautiful Saturday in June, Pfleghaar, the Riverside CRC and course. Impressed by the large green space, he returned to run our own pie recipes, tasting a
CNA hosted a new kind of fund- the CNA staff and board members on Saturday morning and won third prize. delicious array of entries, chatting
raiser that not only put a spotlight Tommy Allen and Candace Gavin. with neighbors, and spending a
Generous sponsors and the invaluable work of a volunteer lovely evening in the park. Thank
of the joys of eating locally
produced food, but also highlighted Also appearing at this event was organizing committee have made the Riverside 5K possible for you to everyone who came and to
one of the finest facilities our tax our illustrious Grand Rapids City the last three years. This year’s sponsors were My Personal those who donated their energy,
dollars support, the Grand Rapids Commissioner David LaGrand, Credit Union, Pilar’s Café and FedCom Credit Union. The time, and merchandise to support
County Commissioners Carol organizing committee was composed of our neighbors, Sharon Neighbor Judy Raymond proudly displays
Fire Department. her lemon meringue pie for sampling our program!
Hennessey and Brandon Dillon, Zils, Candace Gavin, Sara Kasprzak, Tommy Allen, Nicole
Through the generous Rep. Robert Dean, former GR Notario-Risk and Nancy Allen.
contributions from neighbors and Commissioner and state rep all-around winner. Samplers
friends of CNA stopping by we candidate Roy Schmidt, GRPS Congratulations to cast ballots for their favorite pie,
were able to raise over $600 in a board member our top racers! while City Commissioner
few short hours. Cathy Mueller Rosalynn Bliss, Slow Food West
Runners: Michigan co-founder Veronica
and community
Much thanks to our event partners, Bill Fix 18:49
leader Paul Haan. Phelps, and Kent Country Club
GRFD’s Plainfield station Mike Michael Bain 19:06
Steve Hollowell 19:35 pastry chef Dana McHugh
Russell and staff, GRFD Deputy When we support mulled over the various entries.
Laura Knapp, GRFD Lt. Matt community, Youth:
Keusch, Dave and Harry, Bob
After votes were counted and
beautiful things Taylor Manett 23:18 deliberation ended, Carol Ann
& Ed of Kingma’s Market and begin to happen.
Dave of Kingma’s Meats. Walkers: Wright’s cherry pie was selected
A big thank you to Judy Raymond 43:16 the overall winner and Sara
Also a big thanks to our many all who came out Jack Swanson 43:26 Kasprzak’s peach pie was named
volunteers including Michigan to enjoy a hot dog Arlis Katerburg 43:32
or a brat and
runner-up. Wright’s own cherry
Public Radio’s Kaomi Goetz, tree provided her an ample
WMCAT’s Luisa Schumacher, linger in conver-
sation with your harvest to create her prize- Judge Veronica Phelps of Slow Food samples
LISC’s Sandy Stuckhardt & her
neighbors and Michael Pfleghaar and Sharon Zils the various pies entered in the contest.
husband Kim, Artists Michael
friends. advertise for the delicious food
Page 8 The North End Connection October-November 2008 Page 9