COMSTOCK PARK COMMUNITY CELEBRATION

Help Celebrate,  Friday August 19th 2016 

York Creek Resident Appreciation Day 2016

York Creek once again hosted its annual Resident Appreciation Day much to the delight of the tenants and children.

Welcome to  York Creek Resident Appreciation Day

York Creek Staff Welcomes You

Alpine Township Fire Department was on hand

Belmont YMCA Staff

Free hot dogs, anyone?

Fire Chief Dave Klomparens and kids getting showered

A drenched fire chief with Community Policing Deputy Ryan Guernsey

Opportunity to Get involved in Environmental Project

Friends of Indian Mill Creek Watershed Meeting Tuesday, August 9, 2016 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm DeVos Family Center for Scouting 3213 Walker Ave. NW Grand Rapids, MI 49544 Map

Please join us for the Friends of Indian Mill Creek Watershed meeting to learn more about how you can help to restore the Creek to the healthy coldwater trout stream it once was. A few short presentations will provide updates on some of the activities that the watershed partners are working on and explain more about how you can be a part of Indian Mill Creek's recovery. Join us for a short hike to the Creek after the meeting!  Click here for more information about Indian Mill Creek.

RSVP NOW

Light refreshments will be served For more information, please contact: Wendy Ogilvie wendy.ogilvie@gvmc.org 616-776-7605

June 14 - National Flag Day 2016

Tuesday is national Flag Day in the United States. While it is not a full-blown federal holiday, Flag Day is meant for Americans to recognize the importance of the flag and its place in U.S. history. 

Especially now, Tim Lankford of the American Legion National Headquarters in Indianapolis told the Chicago Tribune.

His statement comes just days after the worst mass shooting in the country's history when  Omar Mateen went on a rampage at the gay nightclub Pulse in Orlando, Florida, killing 49 people and injuring 53 others. 

"We would hope, or I would hope, the flag symbolizes everything America stands for and its Constitution," Lankford told the newspaper.

Flag Day: June 14 (Tuesday) is national Flag Day in the United States.

Commemoration: The date commemorates the adoption of the U.S. flag on June 14, 1777. The entire week, through Saturday, is designated Flag Week.

National holiday: On May 30, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation for nationwide observance of Flag Day. In 1949, Congress passed legislation — signed by President Harry Truman — that made June 14 national Flag Day.

Flag display: The flag should be displayed from sunrise to sunset. If there is inclement weather, an all-weather flag should be used.

Orlando victims: President Barack Obama declared a national period of mourning for the victims of Sunday’s mass shooting in Orlando, Florida, with the U.S. flag to be flown at half-staff until Thursday (June 16) at the White House and all public buildings, military posts and naval vessels, as well as at all U.S. embassies and other facilities abroad.

Can’t lower flag to half-staff? The U.S. flag code doesn’t specifically address what to do if a flag can’t be flown at half-staff, such as those affixed to poles outside homes. U.S. Army Flag regulations allow for a black mourning streamer or ribbon to be attached to the top of the flag.

Flag etiquette: However, experts said it is not disrespectful to those in mourning if the flag is left in its normal position.

John Hartvigsen, president of the North American Vexillological Association, told the Chicago Tribune that the normal flying of a flag still would honor victims of Sunday’s tragedy.

"It was not just an attack on the gay community and people in Florida, it was an attack on every American," Hartvigsen told the newspaper of the shooting.

U.S. flag facts: The U.S. flag is older than the Union Jack of Great Britain and the tri-color flag of France, according to the Veterans of Foreign Wars. It also is the only flag to have been flown on the moon,

Flag design: Legend has it that Pennsylvania seamstress Betsy Ross designed the flag.

Pledge of Allegiance: I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Sources: Chicago Tribune, History.com, USFlag.org, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Voice of America

Presidential Proclamation

Enjoying the weekend in the parks

Probably the greatest weekend so far this year.

Family enjoying Pickle Ball at Westgate Park

Family enjoying Pickle Ball at Westgate Park

Enjoying the playground (and beautiful weather)

Saturday Soccer at the Sports Complex

SANITARY SEWER SMOKE TESTING IN ALPINE TOWNSHIP

SPRING INTO SPRING
SECOND ANNUAL DANCE FOR OUR SENIOR ADULTS (60+)
Alpine Floral and other businesses, including Beuschel Funeral Home and Amore Restaurant, are hosting the 2016 prom from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on April 26 at the Fine Arts Theater at Comstock Park High School. Senior Adults will be treated to an afternoon of dancing, photos, and food provided by Amore. "We want seniors to feel special," Dunham said. The entire afternoon is free to those attending. Those wishing to attend are asked to RSVP by April 20 by calling Dunham at 616-784-0626.

Friends of the indian mill creek watershed group holds inaugural meeting

From WZZM 13

A new group in the Grand Rapids area is working to empower members of the community to protect local water resources.
The Friends of the Indian Mill Creek Watershed met for the first time Wednesday night.
The headwaters of Indian Mill Creek are in Alpine Township. The creek flows through Walker and into Grand Rapids, flowing into the Grand River just south of Ann Street.
They hope to clean up the watershed and help return Indian Mill Creek to its original state: a healthy, cold-water trout stream, said Wendy Oglvie of the Grand Valley Metro Council
"What we try to do is empower the local communities and the residents of their watershed to take stewardship, take ownership of their water resources and figure out what they can do to help the waterways in their backyard," she said.
Wednesday night's meeting was a brainstorming session to develop a plan of action for the group. For more information, visit this link. or watch the story on wzzm 13

 

 

 

Alpine Township Firefighters Association recognizes its own.

The Alpine Firefighters Association sponsored an Awards and Appreciation Dinner for Alpine Township Firefighters and their spouses or friends on Saturday night.  There is no doubt that Alpine Township has some of the most dedicated first responders in the County.  Chief Klomparens spoke about the need to respond faster, since furniture material can burst into flames so much faster than it used to.

One of the biggest events of the evening was recognizing Phil Brown as he retires after over forty years of service.  Phil has been a very strong link in the successful operation of the department and is one of Alpine Township's finest citizens.

Also recognized was Doug Kramer for producing a number of excellent training videos and for his devotion to the Alpine Township Fire Department.  A number of firefighters were recognized for their years of service.  The event took place at the banquet facilities of the Gracewil Golf Club.

Phil Brown with Fire Chief Dave Klomparens and Deputy Chief Jeremy Kelly

Doug Kramer with Fire Chief Dave Klomparens and Deputy Chief Jeremy Kelly

Firefighter Ron Heinbeck with his wife Cindy.  Ron was one of a number of firefighters

recognized for years of service, in Ron's case 45 years.

The event took place at Gracewil Country Club located in Alpine Township