September 2021 eNewsletter |
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Welcome to the City of Kentwood's monthly eNewsletter. Stay up to date about community news, events and programs happening this month. |
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We’re looking forward to the return of our Food Truck Festival this month. The annual event has become one of our community’s summer favorites and a great way to support local food trucks. This year’s event will coincide with the 20th anniversary of 9/11 and will also serve as an opportunity to remember those we have lost.
I am honored to lead a moment of silence during the event in remembrance of those lost and injured on 9/11, as well as the many heroes who rose in service to respond to the attacks when their community needed it the most. I hope you will join us in paying our respects on Sept. 11 and pledging to do our part to make the world a better place in their memory.
Mayor Kepley
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Food Truck Festival – Sept. 11 |
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Our second Food Truck Festival of the summer will take place 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11. Community members will be able to enjoy a variety food trucks, a beer tent and live music in front of the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch, 4950 Breton Ave. SE, throughout the day. The event will include a moment of silence at 5 p.m. to honor the victims of 9/11, followed by a brief performance by a local bagpiper. There will also be posters on display from the 9/11 Memorial & Museum inside the Library Community Room.
Here’s the schedule for the day:
We will continue to monitor public health guidance and orders, which may require changes to the event, and encourage residents to follow current public health guidelines to help stop the spread of COVID-19. For the latest event information, please visit kentwood.us/FoodTruckFestival. You can also find updates on Facebook or call the Parks and Recreation Department at 616.656.5270.
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The Vibe: A Fundraiser for Kentwood Parks & Recreation – Sept. 16 |
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All are invited to join us Saturday, Sept. 16 for The Vibe, our annual celebration and fundraiser to enhance Kentwood’s adaptive recreation programs. This year’s event is 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the Kent District Library – Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch. Community members are encouraged to dress casual for The Vibe, which will include food and cocktails, music, a silent auction, adaptive equipment displays and yard games. Activities will take place both indoors at the library and outdoors in the courtyard.
Tickets are $40 each and available until Sept. 9. Funds raised will go toward purchasing new jet skis for the adaptive water ski program. To purchase tickets and learn more, visit KentwoodVibe.com.
We will continue to monitor public health guidance and orders, which may require changes to this event. For the latest information, please visit our website and Facebook or call 616.656.5270.
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Join the Mayors’ Grand River Cleanup – Sept. 11-18 |
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Each year, the Mayors’ Grand River Cleanup engages hundreds of West Michigan volunteers to clean up the Grand River and its tributaries, neighborhood storm drains, parks and streets. This year will be a hybrid event, taking place Sept. 11-18 to give volunteers flexibility in selecting when they want to participate. Volunteers can sign up as individuals or with a small group of five or more. Trash bags and disposable gloves will be provided to all registered participants.
A kickoff event will take place Saturday, Sept. 11 and a celebration will be held on Saturday, Sept. 18. More details about these events will be announced soon. For more information and to register, visit wmeac.org/mayors-cleanup. If you have additional questions, please contact mayorscleanup@wmeac.org.
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As the school year begins, please be mindful of the school bus stops in your area. Remember, you must stop for red flashing school bus lights unless there is a physical median or barrier between you and the bus on the roadway. Please be aware more children are out and about before and after school hours. Drive slowly, watch for children and exit driveways with care. |
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A Look at Local Library Activities |
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Nurture your child’s love of books and build early literacy skills through stories, rhymes, music and movement at the Kent District Library - Kentwood (Richard L. Root) Branch’s storytimes throughout the month. These events are ideal for children up to 5 years old.
Calling all local musicians: Kent District Library is now accepting submissions to KDL Vibes, an upcoming streaming platform that features music from West Michigan musicians. Musicians who would like their music to be considered for the collection are invited to submit a sample track from their album using the online form.
Young, beginning readers (kindergarten-third grade) are invited to go on a trip that's out of this world with Mission: Read! The mission is to read for 1,000 days before sixth grade. One thousand days sounds like a lot, but Mission: Read makes it fun. Learn more and get started at kdl.org/mission-read.
For the latest information on all KDL programs and events, visit kdl.org.
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Help Prevent Crime in Our Community |
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You know the saying, “Out of sight, out of mind?” It rings true with thieves and what police call “crimes of opportunity.” That’s why it’s important to never leave your possessions in plain view in your vehicle or garage – or even on your lawn.
What’s equally important is locking your car. Most vehicle larcenies or theft of personal property are from unlocked vehicles. As the temperatures begin to drop this fall, remember: Don’t leave your vehicle running while unattended. Warming up a vehicle and leaving it unoccupied while running creates an opportunity for thieves to steal your car.
Police need your help to be the “eyes and ears” in our community. If you see something, say something. It is best to report suspicious activity and crimes while they are happening by calling 911. To report crimes after the fact, residents may call the Kentwood Police Department’s non-emergency line at 616.698.6580 or file an online report. You can also submit an anonymous tip through Silent Observer.
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Sign Up to Receive Notifications From Our Website |
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We’ve recently added an option to our website for residents to receive email and/or text notifications when certain pages are updated. You can now sign up to be notified when we share news articles, announce public hearings, add bid opportunities and post about construction updates on our website. To subscribe, visit kentwood.us/enotify/index.php and follow the below instructions:
- Type your email address in the box and select “Sign In.”
- If you want to receive text messages, enter your phone number and select “Save.”
- To subscribe or unsubscribe, click the email icon and/or cell phone icon next to the pages to which you’d like to subscribe/unsubscribe.
- Click “Save Changes.”
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Summer Tax Deferment Applications Due Sept. 15
Summer tax deferments are available to qualifying taxpayers. Applications must be filed in the Treasurer’s office by Sept. 15.
Applications are available online at kentwood.us/TaxDeferment and in the Treasurer’s Office, 4900 Breton Ave. SE. For more information or questions, please call 616.554.0761.
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As the next election nears, please keep the City’s code ordinance on placing signs in public places in mind. Temporary signs may not be placed on public property, such as telephone poles or in the public right-of-way, which is the section of land between the sidewalk and street. Property owners must keep signs within their own lots. For more information, please visit our website or contact Code Enforcement at 616.656.6574. To file a complaint, please complete our online form.
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City Offices Closed on Labor Day |
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Please note: City offices will be closed Monday, Sept. 6 for Labor Day. |
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4900 Breton Ave. SE Kentwood, MI 49508 | 616.698.9610 | Contact Us
City Hall opens weekdays at 7:30 a.m. and closes Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at 4:30 p.m.; Tuesdays at 6 p.m.; and Fridays at noon.
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This is a monthly eNewsletter. You are receiving it because you have done business with the City of Kentwood or have signed up for news about our community events and programs. If you would like to no longer receive this, you may unsubscribe below. |
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