A friendly reminder from the City – Keep Sidewalks Clean of Snow and Ice
Just a friendly reminder: Please Keep Sidewalks Clean of Snow and Ice.
The removal of snow and ice on public sidewalks is the responsibility of the property owner in accordance with Section 4.70 of the City Code. The Police Department enforces the ordinance.
Do not throw snow, slush or ice in the street. This is against state statute and a citation may be issued for individuals whom violate this code (Motor Vehicle Code P.A. 82 of 1978, 257.677a).
Friends of The Maple River to meet January 20
On Wednesday, January 20th, the Friends of the Maple River (FOMR) will hold its bi-monthly meeting at the Maple Rapids Community center, located at 209 Maple street in Maple Rapids. The meeting will start at 7:00 PM.
The guest speaker will be Dr. David Lusch from Michigan State University. His topic will be the glacial history of central Michigan and it’s impact on the formation of the Maple River watershed. Anyone interested in the Maple River or its glacial historyis invited to attend the meeting.
There will also be a short business session to discuss FOMR activities for 2016. One important item is participation in the March Quiet Waters Symposium at Michigan State University.
The others are planning for the annual Maple River River clean-up in April, and assisting the Friends of the Looking Glass River with their log jam removal program that is part of their preparation for their upcoming 2016 Looking Glass River Expedition scheduled for June.
The mission of FOMR is to help preserve, improve and promote the wise use of the Maple River and its watershed. And to work with units of Government, municipalities, organizations, businesses and individuals to help resolve resource and conservation issues.
For additional information about the Friends of the Maple River or the upcoming meeting in Maple Rapids, check out the organization and Like Us on Facebook at “Friends of the Maple River”.
Briggs Library News
Coloring Program – Sales of print books rose again this year, thanks in part to adult coloring books. Come see what all the fuss is about at our All Ages Coloring Event on Tuesday, January 12 from 6:30-7:30p.m.! We will have a selection of coloring pages, pencils, and markers available during this stress-relieving, creativity-enhancing, and fun program. Registration for this free program is required and is now available.
Jr. Readers Program – Children in grades 2-4 can “Explore the Night Sky” with us on February 1 from 7-8p.m., when we will have fun learning what is in the winter night sky. Registration and worksheet are available December 28th at the library or online. Activities will include discussion, snack and an illuminating craft.
Bookaholics – It’s a new year and a new book club for the Bookaholics! Starting with our January 21 meeting, the book club will meet for one session at 6:30p.m. at the Library. This is an open club that is always accepting new members, so stop in and join us! A big Thank You! goes out to Dean Mazzolini and the staff at Bruno’s for being welcoming hosts for the last four years. When we meet in January we will be discussing “Goodnight June” by Sarah Jio. June Andersen is unexpectedly called to settle her great-aunt Ruby’s estate and determine the fate of Bluebird Books, the children’s bookstore Ruby founded in the 1940s. Amidst the store’s papers, June stumbles upon letters between her great-aunt and the late Margaret Wise Brown, author of “Goodnight Moon” – and steps into the pages of American literature. Copies of the book are now available.
Pre-Reader – “Reading Through the Alphabet” is the story-time theme for children ages 4-6 years old (independent listeners). This 6 week session has a few available openings yet. It is on Thursday evenings, 6:30-7pm, January 14 – February 18. Story-times will include stories featuring books with titles A-Z, (1st week will be Ah Ha, Ahoty Toyty, Bike on Bear, Beep Beep Go to Sleep, Cow Loves Cookies, and City Dog, Country Frog). Sessions will include games, music & movement “ABC Disco” and crafts. Registration is required.
Thank You – Thanks to all who brought 56 pairs of mittens, 43 hats and 23 scarves to decorate our Mitten Tree. The items were taken to the Baby Pantry, Basic Needs Center and the Community Services Center sponsored by the 7th Day Adventists. Thanks for your generosity in helping make warm hands and warm hearts.
Library Closures – The Library will be closed on January 18 for the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday. The drop box on the Library porch will be available for returns throughout these closures.
Simple Storytime – Children ages 2-4 (and their participating grownup) can join us for some “Sheepy Shenanigans” during our next Simple Storytime! This program will feature sheep stories, music, and crafts, and will run Wednesday mornings from 10:30-11:00, February 3 – March 2. Registration for this program is required and opens Wednesday, January 13.
Kids, Cartoons and Crafts – We will celebrate Valentine’s Day with the next session of our holiday cartoon program. We will be watching “A Scooby-Doo Valentine,” making a craft and having a snack on Tuesday, February 9 from 6:30-7:30. Registration for this free program is required and opens Tuesday, January 19.
Don’t Judge a Book By Its Cover – Adults looking to jump start their 2016 reading are invited to our “Don’t Judge a Book By Its Cover” program on Thursday, February 11 from 6:30-7:30p.m. Participants in this fun program will get first pick of brand new books and will hopefully find a new favorite author or genre. Registration is required and opens Thursday, January 21.
Chapter Chatter – “Through a Door” will be the theme for children ages 6-8. What will we find behind the doors that we walk through in this 4 week session? Library staff will choose stories that will be shared at each session. The fun will happen on Thursday evenings, 7-7:45pm, February 25- March 17. The “door locations” will be announced at a later date. Registration is required and opens on Thursday January 28. Like books, it will be an adventure.
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Contact Information:
Library Director: Sara Morrison
Phone: 989-224-4702 * Fax: 989-224-1205
E-mail: smorrison@briggspubliclibrary.org
Street address: 108 E Railroad * Saint Johns, MI 48879
Parking reminder
The City Police have announced that the 2016 City parking permits are available through their office during regular business hours.
The cost of a yearly permit is $75 and it allows you to park in any city parking lot downtown during daytime hours and overnight.
Recall of Nice! Mandarin Oranges
Milky Way International Trading Corp. today announced the recall of Nice! Mandarin Oranges in 8-ounce bottles due to potential glass in the product. The affected product was distributed to Walgreens stores nationwide and displays one of the lot numbers listed below. Consumers could potentially be cut or injured if ingested. To date there have been three complaints, and one alleged injury reported.
The voluntary recall is limited to specific production codes of 8-ounce Nice! Brand Mandarin Oranges in Light Syrup, as follows. The lot codes are located at either the neck or the lid of the glass bottles.
H894K09A 01/11/2017 0-49022-80895-9 100-49022-80895-6
4200/01039 01/16/2018 0-49022-80895-9 100-49022-80895-6
4200/01039 02/01/2018 0-49022-80895-9 100-49022-80895-6
This recall is being conducted with the knowledge of and in cooperation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
If you have any of the affected product(s) on hand, please contact us immediately at 1.562.921.2800 Monday to Friday between 8am to 5pm PST.
The product has been removed from shelves in Walgreens stores.
Leonard posts perfect voting record
For the third consecutive year since being elected, State Rep. Tom Leonard has maintained a perfect voting record across the legislative calendar.
Rep. Leonard, R-DeWitt, was present and cast votes on all 504 roll calls during 2015. In 2014 he cast all 811 votes, and in 2013 voted in all 534 roll calls.
“People in the 93rd House District honored me with election to this office, and I feel it is incumbent upon me to ensure their voices are heard on every issue that comes before the House,” said Rep. Leonard, who also serves as House Speaker Pro Tem. “I take this responsibility very seriously and making it to every vote is a priority.”
Rep. Leonard, who also chairs the House Committee on Insurance, is author of House Bill 4935, part of a legislative package that updates the insurance code for health insurance to make it more efficient and effective for both insurers and consumers. He also introduced legislation addressing key aspects of mental illness issues by simplifying the process for family members to access the mental health system for a loved one through the assisted outpatient treatment (AOT) process. The bill does not impair any of the due process protections provided to those in need of care.
“I look forward to continuing our momentum in the coming year as we improve our economy and make government more accountable and transparent,” Rep. Leonard said. “We will build on our successes and efforts to make Michigan a great state in which to work, play and raise a family.”
Baker to host BPA Leadership Conference January 8
Baker College of Owosso will host the Business Professionals of America (BPA) Regional Leadership Conference on its campus, Friday, Jan. 8. Competitions start at 8:30 a.m. and run throughout the day. The awards ceremony is expected to begin at 4:45 p.m., depending upon when all contestants have been scored.
Approximately 525 area high school BPA student members will participate in the event, competing for regional awards in more than 50 categories under five primary classifications: finance, business administration, management information systems, digital communication and design, and management, marketing and communications.
“BPA helps motivated Michigan high school students prepare for real-world leadership roles in business by developing their civic responsibility, technology and business skills,” said Aaron J. Maike, Baker College of Owosso president. “We once again fully support the efforts of this organization to create a world-class workforce.”
Participating schools include Bath High School, Byron High School, Capital Area Career Center, Charlotte High School, DeWitt High School, Eaton Regional Education Service Agency Career Preparation Center, Fowler High School, Owosso High School, Perry High School, Pinckney Community High School, St. Johns High School and Williamston High School.
In the event of postponement due to inclement weather, the snow date is Friday, January 15.
Finalists are eligible to attend the State Leadership Conference to be held March 17-20 in Grand Rapids. Finalists there are eligible to attend the National Leadership Conference, May 5-9, in Boston, Massachusetts.
Business Professionals of America is a national career and technical student organization with more than 2,300 chapters and 43,000 members in 23 states. The Michigan BPA has approximately 170 local chapters in 10 regions and approximately 4,600 members.
The BPA mission is to contribute to the preparation of a world-class workforce through the advancement of leadership, citizenship, academic, and technological skills.
For more information about the BPA conference, contact Mike Konopacke in the admissions office at
mike.konopacke@baker.edu, 989.729.3350 or 1.800.879.3797.