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 East Express | November 2024
A MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR Friends and neighbors, As the holiday season quickly approaches, I would like to wish you and your loved ones a joyful and gratitude-filled month ahead. I am grateful for the opportunity to lead this exceptional community, as we have so many things to be thankful for. I invite you to reflect on all the great aspects of our community and extend a big thank you to City staff, officials and volunteers who make it all possible. Special thanks to our elections staff, led by City Clerk Lori Parmenter, for recently administering another safe and secure election. They were instrumental in processing absentee ballots and overseeing nine days of early voting and helping voters on Election Day. Join me in ringing in the holiday season at the annual tree lighting ceremony 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29 in Gaslight Village’s Regatta Plaza. There will be something for all ages to enjoy, from caroling and s’mores to reindeer and a special visit from Santa Claus. I hope to see you there!  All the best,
Katie
 HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY
Join us as we kick off the holiday season with the annual Holiday Tree Lighting ceremony Friday, Nov. 29 in Gaslight Village.
The tree lighting will be the centerpiece of festivities 5-8 p.m. in Regatta Plaza, 2181 Wealthy St. SE. In addition to the lighting of the 30-foot tree, enjoy a variety of all-ages activities and entertainment, including s’mores, carriage rides, live entertainment, reindeer petting and a special visit from Santa Claus. Stay up to date by following Gaslight Village on Facebook or visiting its website. 
CITY ON INSTAGRAM
The City is now on Instagram @cityofeastgrandrapids. Join us on this vibrant platform as we share the unique beauty of our community. To celebrate, we’re kicking things off with a fall photo contest through Nov. 15. Learn more at eastgrmi.gov/fallphotocontest.  COFFEE HOURS Residents have the opportunity to speak with elected officials in-person at these upcoming coffee hours: - Third Ward Commissioner Abbie Groff-Blaszak: 9-10:30 a.m. Nov. 14 at Bagel Kitchen
- Mayor Katie Favale and Second Ward Commissioner Brad Hunter: 10:30 a.m. Nov. 22 at Bagel Kitchen
FINANCE & CITY ADMINISTRATION  NOV. 5 ELECTION RECAP
City Clerk Lori Parmenter and her staff were honored to administer another safe and secure election for East Grand Rapids voters. In total, 7,614 ballots were cast – 3,431 via absentee, 2,638 via early voting and 1,780 on Election Day.
To view the full election results, please visit the County’s website. 
CITY COMMISSION MEETINGS The next City Commission meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 18 at the Community Center, 750 Lakeside Drive SE. Community members can also watch the meeting live via the City’s YouTube channel and view minutes and agendas here. NOVEMBER HOLIDAYS OFFICE CLOSURES City offices will be closed the following days: - Monday, Nov. 11 for Veterans Day
- Thursday, Nov. 28 and Friday, Nov. 29 for Thanksgiving
Public Safety will continue to provide 24/7 support to the community. PUBLIC SAFETY
HOLIDAY SAFETY REMINDERS During this festive season filled with events, travel and gatherings, it’s important to stay on top of your safety game to ensure everyone has enjoyable experiences. Public Safety shares these safety tips for the holidays: - Always stay in the kitchen when cooking on the stovetop.
- Don’t leave your home when cooking food in the oven and check on it frequently.
- Never leave lit candles unattended.
- Be careful driving Thanksgiving Eve (Wednesday, Nov. 27) and coordinate a designated driver if you plan to drink alcoholic beverages.
- Be mindful of Gobble Wobble race participants 8-10 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day (Thursday, Nov. 28).
- If you plan to travel for the holidays, remember to lock up your home, outbuildings and remaining vehicles. Remove all valuable items from your yard and car and store them inside your house or garage, including bikes and toys, yard equipment and power tools.
Read Public Safety’s full list of fire, home and driving safety tips here.
REMINDER TO LOCK UP
Join your neighbors in locking your home and vehicle. Public Safety encourages residents to participate in the #9PMRoutine – a national initiative that helps community members remember to take simple measures at 9 p.m. each night to keep their possessions safe. This includes bringing in items such as snow removal equipment, toys and other personal items, locking your house, garage and vehicles and turning on outside lights to deter theft. Learn more about the #9PMRoutine here. PUBLIC WORKS
FALL LEAF PICKUP CONTINUES
Fall leaf pickup continues through the week of Dec. 2. Leaves may be placed in the street, but please don’t obstruct the roadway and storm sewer catch basins. Rules and routes can be found at eastgr.org/refusecollection. 
WINTER WEATHER OPERATIONS
With winter approaching, learn about the City's street and sidewalk salting and plowing operations, priority road routes and how you can help make snowplowing easier for our team here. During heavy snowfall events, leaf pickup may be intermittently interrupted so our crews can focus on snowplowing. Leaf pickup continues through the week of Dec. 2. Public Works thanks you for your partnership in making sure our streets and sidewalks stay safe for everyone. 
SHAKE YOUR MAILBOX
Public Works reminds residents to shake their mailbox if it is located near the street. If your mailbox moves when shaken, the mailbox or post may not withstand snow thrown from plows and should be repaired. 
ADOPT-A-DRAIN As fall leaf pickup continues, Public Works encourages residents to keep catch basins clear of leaf litter and street debris. We partner with other local communities through the Grand Valley Metro Council and Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds to promote water quality for our watersheds while mitigating localized flooding through an adopt-a-drain portal. What does it mean to adopt a drain? By pledging to keep your drain free of leaves and debris, you’re joining your neighbors in helping to protect the environment, manage stormwater and minimize flooding. Our city has approximately 1,300 catch basins, and while our 15 Public Works staff members help clean catch basins, rain events or even just a few leaves can plug them. That’s why a community effort is needed – and helps tremendously. How to care for your adopted drain: Check the weather report weekly. If possible, clear leaves and debris off drains before it starts raining and shovel snow off drains during the winter to keep water flowing. Remove leaves, other natural materials and trash and clear about 10 feet on each side of the drain. Leaves, sticks and other natural materials can be placed in your yard waste container. Stay safe when clearing storm drains: Please stay out of the street as much as possible. Place yourself in the right of way – the area between the sidewalk and the street – to clear the drain and wear reflective clothing so drivers can see you. Always wear gloves and be careful of sharp objects. Use a rake, broom or shovel if possible. Never try to lift or remove the drain grate. COMMUNITY PARTNERS  KIDS FOOD BASKET GOBBLE WOBBLE
The annual Gobble Wobble run/walk takes place 8-10 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day. This race raises funds for local nonprofit Kids’ Food Basket. Community members and drivers are asked to be mindful of runners and walkers along the course route, shown in the map above. E-GREEN SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE
The E-GReen Sustainability Initiative invites community members to its monthly sustainable neighbors series, sponsored by Friends of the EGR Library. The series takes place 6:30-7:30 p.m. in Room 105 of the EGR Community Center, 750 Lakeside Drive SE. - Invasive Species: Protecting the Environment – Tuesday, Nov. 19. Presented by Ryan Wilenski of the Kent Conservation District.
- Engaging with Community Wildlife Through Community Science – Tuesday, Dec. 17. Presented by Travis Kurtz, community science coordinator of the John Ball Zoo.
EAST GRAND RAPIDS SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink, EGRHS class of 1987, spoke to students in a special assembly at East Grand Rapids High School Oct. 16. Brink was in town to receive the East Grand Rapids Schools Foundation’s Distinguished Alumni Award. You can read more about the event and the ambassador’s visit here. 
KENT DISTRICT LIBRARY: EAST GRAND RAPIDS BRANCH
Children in grades K-5 are invited to become Legendary Readers. Read, write or visit the library for 100 days between Sept. 3-June 13 to receive a special Loch Ness Monster bookmark and be entered to win a $100 gift card from Schuler Books. Enroll through Jan. 31. Below are some fun featured programming: - Wonderful Watercolor – 6:30-7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov.11: Explore the basics of watercolor painting in this beginner-friendly tutorial. Learn brush techniques, water control and color mixing skills to create a lovely landscape using only three paints. For adults. Space is limited, so registration is required for this event.
- Protecting Wildlife Habitat through Effective Invasive Species Control – 6:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19: Learn about priority invasive plant species threatening West Michigan, how to ID them and tips for mitigation. This Sustainable Neighbors series is presented in partnership with E-GReen and sponsored by the Friends of EGR Library.
- Fall Fest – 10 a.m.-noon Thursday, Nov. 21: Celebrate the season with autumn crafts, games and art activities. For young children and their caregivers.
- Grand Rapids Ballet – 2-3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1: Watch Grand Rapids Ballet dancers perform excerpts from their current show, The Nutcracker. For all ages.
The library will be closed Thursday, Nov. 28.
Stay up to date with all things East Grand Rapids by following us on Facebook, Instagram and X.
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