1. Creston Community Calendar
CNA HELLO NEIGHBOR EVENTS 3RD ANNUAL
Pancakes with CNA
ART BATTLE FOR COMMUNITY
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
6pm-10pm
9am -12pm
Sazerac’s Lounge (1418 Plainfeild NE)
4th Reformed Church (1226 Union NE)
Notario-
Meet Your CNA President, Nicole Notario-Risk January-February 2009
Monday, February 16, 2009
CITY COMMISSIONER’S MEETINGS
6pm-8pm 2nd and 4th Tuesdays at 7pm
M D
Pilar’s Café (2162 Plainfield Ave. NE) January 13 and 27, 2009
February 3 and 17, 2009
Pancakes with CNA
March 10 and 24, 2009
essage from the irector:
March 2009
April 14 and 21, 2009
Saturday Date and Location to be Announced Planning for new year underway in response to
300 Monroe Avenue NW, 9th Floor
2nd Annual Perennial Exchange neighbor feedback gathered at town hall meetings
Thursday, April 30, 2009
*For a special opportunity for input on who By: Deborah Eid, CNA Executive Director
4:30pm-7pm
your next City Manager will be please visit
Riverside Christian Reformed Church In the Creston neighborhood the winter months are Sweet Street just up the street from Creston High
www.grcity.us to complete an important survey
602 Comstock NE a good time to plan for the upcoming year. As our School. Along Plainfield Avenue CNA has sought
which will help advise the commission.
neighbors’ wish lists came together in the town halls and obtained a grant to add more mural art to the
this past fall, a few common themes emerged. People corridor business area this year. And, in our ongoing
want more opportunities to connect to one another, work to become self-supporting, the CNA board
more activities for kids, a busier business corridor convened a new
and ways to help neighbors keep up their properties, membership
hold onto their homes in these tough times, and build committee which
safety and even more beauty into our Creston area. held its’ first
The work of our resident volunteers is directed meeting just
toward making these wishes come true. We’d like to before the
say “Hello Neighbor” at one of the CNA monthly holidays. With
meet and greet events this winter. See our calendar new and renewed
page for details. memberships and
other donations
We shared foreclosure prevention information door we can be here in
to door with our neighbors and published information the years to come
in Sunday bulletins of area churches. CNA and 4th to help make your
Christian Reformed Church hosted a potluck lunch in wishes for
December for North End church leaders to learn Creston come
more about what each church is doing in outreach to true!
our Creston community. Neighbors have begun to
reinvigorate the fundraising possibilities for the
renovation of the playground at College Avenue and
Tommy Allen, 2008
Inside this issue…
The history of Briggs Park, help with tax preparation, how to be more
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
205 Carrier NE green, conserve energy, and save money, profile of two neighborhood
Creston Neighborhood Association businesses, community calendar and more!

2. Briggs Park: a historic gem and rallying point for
Creston Neighborhood Association
The North End Connection is
origin of the Creston Neighborhood Association 205 Carrier NE The Creston Neighborhood
Association Board of Directors the newsletter of the Creston
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
By: Kaylee Milanowski, CNA VISTA Volunteer meets on the fourth Thursday of Neighborhood Association,
616.454.7900 most months. Meetings are open
Fax 616.454.8190 published 6 times a year.
Briggs Park has weathered many a because of the passion Creston residents to the public—contact our office
www.crestongr.com Circulation: 1000. Advertising
storm in its 97 years of existence. had for the park back in 1977, when the for time and location.
space is available. Contact
Purchased by the Parks Department in Grand Rapids pools were to be closed Office Hours our office for rate information.
1911 from Charles S. Briggs, a pioneer due to low usage. Little did everyone Monday-Friday 9am-2pm Board of Directors
Tommy Allen Newsletter contributors:
dairyman from Grand Rapids, Briggs know that the reason pool attendance Glenn Disosway (Treasurer) Tommy Allen, Mackenzie Brown,
Park has evolved from 6.93 acres of open was down was because there was a leak The Creston Neighborhood Candace Gavin (Secretary) Carol Brugger, Sue Capps,
Pastor Charles Geschiere
green space into a wonderland that in the pool and the constant refilling Association is a nonprofit
Pilar Jimenez
Deborah Eid, Candace Gavin,
organization serving the northeast Ruth Kelly, Christa Lenssen,
includes all the frills a child needs to be made for really cold swimming. Grand Rapids community whose
Sara Kasprzak (Vice President)
Emily Martin, Kaylee Milanowski,
Emily Martin
entertained for hours at a time: a pool boundaries are Leonard Street
Nicole Natario-Risk (President)
Linda Ortman, Rick Szczepanski
and a playground. It is a Creston Neighbors diligently protected Briggs, to the south, the Grand River to Dorothy Velasco (Associate Member)
neighborhood hotspot that has filled thus saving the pool from closing and the west, Four Mile Road to the A City of Grand Rapids Community
North, then Plainfield Avenue Development Block Grant
many people’s lives with fond memories. hasty demolition. From this victory, the south to I-96 and along the city Staff Funded Program
Creston Neighborhood Association was corporation line to Knapp Street, Deborah Eid, Executive Director
Mackenzie Brown, Community Safety Organizer The views and opinions expressed
Despite the fervor for Briggs Park, it born, an organization that would rally east to Fuller Avenue, then south Sue Capps, Executive Assistant are not necessarily those of the
to Leonard Street. Membership Christa Lenssen, VISTA Volunteer
has, however, been on the chopping around other issues to help keep the is open to anyone inside or Kaylee Milanowski, VISTA Volunteer staff, Board of Directors or
block one too many times. The origin of Creston Community a safe and beautiful Carol Brugger, AARP Receptionist membership of the organization.
outside of these boundaries.
CNA is forever linked to Briggs Park place to live and play.
Become a
Member!
Your membership dues
help fund CNA’s work to build
community in Creston and
make it the great place to live
and do business that it is!
Page 2 The North End Connection January-February 2009 Page 15

3. DESIGN CHARRETTE FOR MASTER
PLAN OF BALL/PERKINS PARK
January 24, 2009
City High School
1400 Fuller Ave NE
Come to share your ideas from 9:00am-12:00pm
or 1:00pm-3:00pm
Findings will be presented at 6:00 pm
The City of Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Department is undertaking a Master Plan process for the
Ball/Perkins Park. This 82 acre park is located in northeast Grand Rapids and is generally located
Shop Local!
Did you know, when you shop at locally-owned businesses,
between Knapp and Leonard Streets and Ball and Perkins Avenues. The site has a unique mix of habitat
types including successional old field, secondary woodland, primary woodland and two
wetland types: swamp and marsh, and could provide for an opportunity of mixed active and passive uses
with an emphasis on environmental protection and interpretation.
more of the money you spend stays in our local economy
supporting other locally-owned businesses? The Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation Department invite you to participate in a design charrette to
assist in developing the Master Plan for Ball/Perkins Park and share your feedback with this survey.
Ball/Perkins Master Plan Survey
In order of priorities (with #1 being the highest priority), please indicate which
amenities you would like to see incorporated in the design of Ball/Perkins Park:
____ Walking/Hiking/X-Country Ski Trails ____ Picnic Area/Shelter(s)
____ Nature Interpretation Trails ____ Restroom Facilities
____ Community Gardens ____ Playground
____ Natural/Preservation Areas ____ Open Play Area
____ Environmental Demonstration Facilities ____ Sand Volleyball
-Raingardens ____ Horseshoes
-Pervious Paving
____ Other: ________________
-Natural Plantings
-Alternative Energy ____ Other: ________________
Comments: _______________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
Please return by January 21, 2009 to:
City of Grand Rapids
Parks and Recreation Department
201 Market Avenue SW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Page 14 The North End Connection January-February 2009 Page 3

4. Creston Businesses: Cozy Café and Decadent Desserts Welcome New Members!
Maureen Abele & John Crouse Otto & Dolores Husted Mary Ruzicka-Savage
North Park Café Mary Banghart Therrien & Lisa Hyland Commissioner Roy Schmidt
By: Linda Ortman Rebecca London Joel & Patty Jason Shirley Schriber
Jean Barkin Shirley & Norm Jelsma Ruth Schrier
Matt Urbane is the proprietor and chef at this cozy, Samuel & Amber Beals Carl & Ruth Kelly Gladys Spangler
welcoming north-end café. Matt opened the Brian & Jennifer Berryhill Mary Kolenda Barbara Stanford & Mark Coleman
restaurant seven years ago when his construction job Diana & Larry Bilski Joe Kresnak Rick & Pat Steinport
was eliminated. Being a lifelong North Park resident Richard Blodgett Sue Kriekard Jeffrey & Sarah Stephan
the location was a no-brainer. The old storefronts Verla & Jerry Blom Jacob & Margaret Kroon Don & Sharon Straight
along North Park Street were built back when Grand Ruth Bumstead Noah & Megan Kruis Tim & Joanne Sushereba
Rapids residents took the trolley to the North Park Ed Cavanaugh Helen Leavitt Henry & Jeane Swart
Pavilion and Boat and Canoe Club for a summer Neil & Doris DeBoer Aloise O. & Mike Lewakowski Gary Swets
holiday. Tom & Jodi Deschaine Evelyn Lewis Brian & Mandy Taylor
Diners come to David R. & Helene Despres Michael & Corita Linden Patti Thomas
North Park Café is located at:
the café for a Jim & Arliss Dieleman Eugene & Jean Lyons Ann Usakowski
430 North Park Street good old-fashion Matt has good coffee and good multigrain bread. Charleen Dunn Mary E. & Joe Maksymowski Gary VanderLende
North Park breakfast includ- Matt does the cooking, so we know what we’re going Harold D. Felten Nancy Markosky Barbara VanderVoord
ing the Grand to get and it’s consistently good.” Starting in Winifred Fox Joe & Judy McKeiver David & Lisa VanDyke
Phone: 447-8892 River Omelet December the café will serve burgers and pizza for Dr. Allen Gerrard Pat & Tom Mellon Robert VanOort
with homemade dinner. Matt also serves groups at the restaurant or Charles & Dawn Geschiere Kim Mitchell John & Susan VanOudheusden
sausages or a you can stop in or call for take-out. Call if you want Mrs. Donald Geske D. Catherine Mueller Kelly & Todd VanValkenburg
Hours: lunch special of your club or group to meet at the café and Matt will Roger Gilles & Sue Stauffacher Leon Orley Caroline Waltz
6:30am to 2:00pm soup and sand- make arrangements. Robert & Donna Glennemeier Ms. Freda Osterink Delbert Wiersma
Monday – Friday wich. “We like to Henry & Judy Gorkowski Lisa & Jim Owen Barbara J. Williams
If you’re looking for a friendly, cozy, non-smoking Thomas & Laura Gottschalk David Page David & Judy Wills
walk to Matt’s
8:00am to 2:00pm café where you can read the paper, meet friends and Kirk & Lori Hacker Matt Patulski & Maureen Nollette Janine Zomermaand
on a Saturday
Saturday family, and enjoy a tasty meal, this is the place. Eat Mrs. Mary T. & Diane T. Hartig Mark & Deb Posthumus
morning for
local! Lawrence & Marilyn Hefferan Mary Powell-Fisher & Kris Fisher Business Members
breakfast,” said
Carol Hennessy Joni & Vern Powers
Starting December 1st:
Carl Kelly, who Do you have a favorite spot to grab a Leonard & Nancy Hickey Ben Rausch
NorthPointe Christian
lives about eight Elementary Preschool
4:00 to 8:00pm blocks away. “My
bite to eat in Creston? Want to feature Joel & Sarah Hoekema Mary Jane Riegling
East Shore Co., LLC
for hand ground burgers wife and I love it in this newsletter? Let us know by Jeanne Hoin Phillip & Sue Rios
and specialty pizzas the fact that Lisa Honeycutt M. Ande Roeser
emailing crestonnewsletter@gmail.com
Las Vegas Cheesecake from restaurants, grocers, and weddings.
By: Kaylee Milanowski, CNA VISTA Volunteer
Both Mark and Erica
Las Vegas Cheesecake Co., located at 1300 see the potential in the
Plainfield Ave., has recently changed hands and company and have ties
we welcome the new owner, Mark Datema along to the Creston
with the General Manager Erica Dussia to the Neighborhood. Stop
Creston Neighborhood! into the Las Vegas
Mark, also the owner of Elite Limousine Cheesecake Co. and
Service, bought the Las Vegas Cheesecake Co. in pick up a tasty dessert
(Erica recommends Residents of the Creston Neighborhood gather together in October for the Creston Neighborhood Association’s Annual
hopes to expand the already established Meeting, where they learn of the work of CNA, vote for board members, and sign up for volunteer opportunities.
customer base as well as focus on bulk orders Raspberry Bash)! Photos: Tommy Allen, 2008
Page 4 The North End Connection January-February 2009 Page 13

5. Why Buy Local? CNA Community Safety Organizer
By: Ruth Kelly attends Civillian Police Academy
If you haven’t already noticed, painfully aware of how very here in Michigan it makes good By: Mac Brown, CNA Community Safety Organizer
there are Local First signs important this is right now. sense to buy local and support
appearing all over town on store each other. So, next time you are Since coming to Creston I have from each department and ranges
windows and doors. This Think about how much sense
this makes for all of us. Local considering a purchase, think had the opportunity to see first from how the GRPD handles
organization is working at
educating us as consumers to purchases mean less transporta- local first. hand what the men and women of issues of internal affairs to
Interested in
tion cost which in turn means Grand Rapids do whose main job interactive presentations with
support our local businesses so
that money re-circulates less traffic congestion, pollution is to protect and to serve. The representatives from the K-9 unit. attending the
and sprawl. Small businesses are Civilian Police Academy is a The ten week class begins with a
in Grand Rapids. Members program offered to all residents of warm hello by Police Chief Belk
Civilian Police
purchase from other local our biggest employers too.
businesses which helps grow They are the largest group of the City of Grand Rapids as well and a tour of the police station. Academy or
employers nationally. Unlike in as employees who work in the The open atmosphere in the
these businesses and the tax City whose work pertains to the classroom welcomes the tough
learning more?
base. We all know that local big chain stores we consumers
can find more interesting goods field of Crime Prevention. questions that the students
businesses tend to donate more may have regarding the inner
to our city charities because they to buy. Once a week for three and a workings of the GRPD. Visit
are part of our community. The statistics that half hours, the participants get to
take a look at various different I know in my ten short weeks of
www.grcity.us
If you are not familiar with really grabbed my
attention were these: departments of the GRPD. Every taking the class, I have gained
this organization you may want class has different guest speakers valuable insight on how an
to visit their website at If we spend $100 at a
local business on average officer handles the enormous dollars worth of drugs looks like,
www.localfirst.com. Local First responsibilities that their job
$68 dollars stays in our local willing to be bitten by a dog from
is a collective effort between requires. It cannot be easy being,
economy. If we spend $100 at a the k-9 unit, see how fast you can
local business owners, non-profit at times, the most unpopular
non-local business, an average of react in a lethal situation, ride
organizations and people in West person in the room even though
$43 dollars stays in the area. At along with a police officer or get
Michigan who want to support your job requires you to be the
a time when we are struggling some tips on how to get out of a
our local economy. We are first line of defense should any of speeding ticket, sign up for this
those people be in harm’s way. It class! I guarantee you will leave
is an undertaking that I myself with many new friends and a new
know that I could never do and found respect for the person
give my utmost respect to those behind the uniform. For more
that are willing. information please visit the City
Local foundation and CNA member So if you are interested in
of Grand Rapids website at
grcity.us.
offers scholarships to high school seniors knowing what a half million
By: Rick Szczepanski
The Mary J. Szczepanski “Never Give Up” this disease of the nervous system, is a partner
Scholarship Foundation, a nationally with Accelerated Cure Project, a non profit
recognized initiative, offers college scholarship organization in Waltham, MA, whose focus is a
opportunities to all U.S. high school seniors cure for MS.
who creatively raise funds for Multiple
Sclerosis. We are a proud member with the Creston
Neighborhood Association, working in your
The foundation and its mission to raise community.
awareness and much needed research funds for
Please visit our www.msscholarship.org for more information.
Page 12 The North End Connection January-February 2009 Page 5

6. Foreclosure Worries – Everybody’s Concern CNA HONORS ITS’ OWN!
By: Mac Brown, CNA Community Safety Organizer HATS OFF TO LINDA ORTMAN AND NANCY ALLEN!
By: Deborah Eid, CNA Executive Director
My friends, to say that we are in can make the first step toward Financial Counselors there
troubled times would only be using it to your benefit. There is specifically to address foreclosures On October 23, 2008 at works in this wonderful
echoing those that talk to you via an old proverb that says “Pride and the capacity to do so, but the the CNA annual membership neighborhood. She also
television, and the articles you comes before a fall.” Make sure later you wait the more difficult it meeting we honored two takes the initiative to go
read in the newspaper or the that you consider who will be becomes for them to help you. neighbors whose volunteer out and gather news as a
internet. One of the issues falling with you if you do not act, efforts shone in 2008. Linda roving reporter for the
referred to when hearing or and that you don’t let pride keep The Renter: Ortman was honored as recipient association newsletter and
reading these somber words is you from calling. There are Most renters do not know their of the A.W. Morgan Neighbor- you’ll see her listed as a
foreclosure. And it worries each millions of people across this rights when their landlords have
hood Advocate Award. Perhaps regular contributor to
of us when we see that a house at country in the same or similar gone into foreclosure. If you are
you’ve seen Linda slipping copies Creston’s bimonthly
the end of our street is vacant and situation; this is not an isolated not sure what rights you have as of the CNA newsletter into the publication.
has become a magnet for crime. incident and feelings of guilt or a renter, please contact us at entryways of area businesses.
Here at Creston, it has been a failure should have little effect on Creston and we can direct you to Linda feels that the work of the Nancy Allen, also known Tommy Allen, 2008
goal of ours to ensure to those you calling for help. those that specialize in tenant/ as the “sample lady” at Kingma’s ship dues and your interest in
association needs to be made
that call this neighborhood home, landlord issues. Keep in mind Market on Plainfield, was participating on projects for
known to everyone who lives and
that they will have the continued Some steps that can be taken that in almost all situations the awarded the Kathy Kuhn CNA. Nancy has spent the year
ability to do so. In addition, it is immediately: tenant is entitled to at least 30 Neighborhood Volunteer gathering names and numbers
also our continued responsibility days notice before they are award for her endless from our various CNA events,
1. Stay in constant contact with expected to move. hours of phoning as
here at Creston to empower those your lender; call them with any and working side by side with
willing to take action against the CNA Volunteer CNA office staff to remind
foreseeable problems in the future The Neighbor: Coordinator. You probably
people that would trespass or regarding payment. Your lender The first thing that you must members when it’s time to renew
damage a temporarily vacant heard from her when we their membership. She feels
will appreciate this and be more ask yourself is “what is happening
home. Even if you are not a direct were notifying members by strongly that membership is the
inclined to help you stay in your when these homes around me phone this past fall about
victim of foreclosure, the home. remain vacant?” key to keeping Creston’s
increasingly high growth in the annual membership neighborhood tradition of active
foreclosures has a direct effect on 2. Eliminate all costs that are not Most of the time, these homes meeting! Nancy is the involvement growing and going,
you as well. essential to your family. Stream- become targets of crime and woman in the know when from one neighbor to another.
line entertainment costs, require vigilance from their Tommy Allen, 2008 it comes to your member-
Between January and June this transportation, etc. If you don’t neighbors to remain crime-free
year, 124 homes have gone need it, stop paying for it. and in doing so, those that remain
into foreclosure. This rate of
foreclosure is 18% higher than 3. Contact your current billers
will not see their own property
values fall as much. On average,
ROSES... & THORNS...
last year. Overall, 1 in 12 homes and let them know your current the property value of a home falls
in Grand Rapids is in foreclosure. situation. Many of your utility about $5,000 when the home next To dog owners who clean To vandals who have
providers already have assistance
There are three groups of people programs in place for situations
door becomes vacant. up after their dogs on all repeatedly turned over the
in the neighborhood that are just like the one you are facing, Some steps to ensure that this city property porta-jons in Riverside Park
affected by foreclosure: the and if not, most will work with does not happen to you are:
homeowner, the renter, and the you to keep you from going under.
neighbor. 1. Be active in communicating To the homeowner on the south To park users who do not follow
4. Food costs are higher now; with your neighborhood
The Homeowner: supplement that by getting some association! side of Comstock who put in a leash laws and let their dogs
For most of you, the reason
behind the situation that you are
items at your local pantries. For a
2. Know your neighbors. If you new green driveway! Awesome! run and poop in
listing, please contact us at
currently in is beyond your Creston. see them out in the yard, stop on the ball diamonds.
control. Whether it be loss of a by and exchange a few words
job, developments in a family 5. Call Home Repair Services at about how you both can work to
member’s health condition, or bad 241-2601. I cannot emphasize the keep the vacant home on your
Do you have roses and thorns to add?
lending practices, there is no time importance of “the sooner the block crime-free.
better.” They have certified
Email them to crestonnewsletter@gmail.com
to lose. Help is here, but only you
Page 6 The North End Connection January-February 2009 Page 11

7. The Kent County Prescription Discount Card By: Christa Lenssen, CNA VISTA Volunteer Foreclosure, cont’d.
will be available in 2009 for ANYONE to access 3. Some upkeep from neighbors is
discounts on prescriptions, some dental, vision, and printed from a link on the Kent County website
important; pick up trash if it Engaging the community, one
hearing services, as well as some vitamins and pet at www.accesskent.com beginning in early 2009.
medications. There are no residency, income or
collects. Trash attracts pests and resource directory at a time
Participating pharmacies include: CVS, D&W, once they are there, rats and
age requirements—the card can be used at any roaches do not discriminate as to By: Kaylee Milanowski, CNA VISTA Volunteer
of the participating pharmacies in the state of Family Fare, Felpausch, K-Mart, Meijer,
Rite Aid, and Walgreens. where they will go next.
Michigan by anyone. Average savings on Thank you for all who We received motivating
prescriptions are 32%. The prescription card is not 4. Park your car in front of the
home to make it look occupied
participated in the Creston feedback from meeting
insurance and is not supplemental to your current
insurance coverage. You may use the card OR
Neighborhood Community participants that included
5. Weed or mow in the summer- Meetings this fall! We wishes such as:
your insurance. This initiative is funded through time. In the winter, shoveling the
participating pharmacies and drug companies, in sidewalks in front of the house
successfully completed all
• Revitalizing the Creston
cooperation with Kent County and the Area Agency will signal, to would be offenders, four of our interactive Town
on Aging of Western Michigan. For more information, Business District by
that the house is being looked Hall meetings where we
call Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan at attracting new businesses
after. distributed our Creston
988.5081 or visit their website www.aaawm.org. Cards and making it more
will be available at Area Agency on Aging of Western 6. Once you get to know Neighborhood Resource
pedestrian-friendly
Michigan, at various other local agencies or can be your neighbors and the area Directory (CNRD), a guide
surrounding you and the vacant that includes city agencies, • Collaborating with
home, suspicious people in or non-pro fits, ch urches , churches to help with
around the property will be easier
Need Help With Filing Your Income Taxes? to identify and report to the
schools, and informational
tips.
seniors in the Creston
police.
neighborhood
By: Kaylee Milanowski, CNA VISTA Volunteer
7. Contact Housing if a vacant We will continue to hand • Help increase home
The Creston Christian Reformed year! It is by appointment only, so Also, be sure to bring your
home on your block needs to be out the CNRD throughout ownershi p and the
Church and St. Alphonsus Church, please call the Creston Neighbor- economic stimulus check informa-
located at 238 Spencer and 224 hood Association at 454.7900 to tion with you! If you are
secured or looks to be in violation the neighborhood with the appearance of the housing
of housing code. The number is help of neighborhood stock
Carrier, are offering free help with reserve your time slot. interested in volunteering to help
456-3053. For more housing code
filing your income taxes again this with tax preparation please schools, churches,
Income Tax help will be contact Shelli at 361-7500. Please
information contact us at Creston. • Starting a Creston
every Thursday evening
businesses, and block
note that there is a fifteen hour neighborhood farmer’s
between 4pm and 7pm at captains! The CNRD helps
training requirement. Say “hello neighbor” at... market
St. Al’s and every Saturday answer questions about
morning between 9am and Pancakes who to call concerning • Helping increase an over-
noon at Creston CRC Call CNA at housing issues, your health all sense of community by
starting February 7th and
454.7900 to
with CNA and wellness, safety tips, promoting neighborly
ending April 11, 2009.
Saturday, January 24 your neighborhood and interaction
Once you have made schedule your community, locations of
your appointment you 9am-12pm A big thanks to Creston
will receive additional time slot! area food pantries, care for
information in the mail. High School, North Park
your children, and much
Presbyterian Church,
more.
Riverside Christian
Grand Valley State University students will be volunteering In addition to distributing Reformed Church, and
directories to neighbors at Trinity Baptist Church for
to shovel driveways and walkways in our neighborhood the Community Meetings, letting us use their space
on January 24, from 9am-12pm. If you know of anyone we discussed our wishes for for our meetings!
the Creston neighborhood.
in your neighborhood who could especially benefit from
4th Reformed Church
this service, please call CNA at 454.7900. 1226 Union NE
Page 10 The North End Connection January-February 2009 Page 7

8. een ston
Gr re Creston Neighbor, Cassie Younts shares
Going in C her efforts to reduce, reuse and recycle
Dear Creston Neighbors,
By: Ruth Kelly
She doesn’t buy “lunchables’ which this to a landfill or is there another
We’d like to hear from you. What are not only less healthy, but use way to dispose of it?”
suggestions do you have for your more plastic.
neighbors that will help us be Homemade shopping bags now
Energy-Saving Tips better stewards of the environment? Pre-potty training, the girls all wore
cloth diapers. These were sewn and
carry most of the groceries home and
Cassie takes apart arts and crafts the
Here’s our first interview on the
By: Christa Lenssen, CNA VISTA Volunteer subject. It’s with CNA neighbor pre-folded with easy to use Velcro children make and saves the parts for
*Caulk and weather strip or install door sweeps to energy. Completely wrap electric water heaters, but Cassie Younts, mother of three girls, closures. “A little bit of work is worth future fun rather than throwing stuff
doors and windows that leak air. The warm air in a wrap gas water heaters on the sides only. On gas married to Scott Younts. She shares a our future and our children’s future, away. At her weekly bible study
few things she’s doing to reduce, and it becomes a habit,” she says. “If group, Cassie collects any throwaway
heated home exerts a "pull" on outside colder air, heaters, make sure that the pilot light’s access door
reuse, and recycle. you teach your kids they don’t know silverware and brings it home to
drawing it in wherever it can. isn’t covered or that air isn’t blocked from the burner.
anything else.” Daughter Maddie’s wash. The group now only uses mugs,
*Draft Check: A simple way to locate outside air Sources: www.eartheasy.com, US Department of We all probably realize that by teacher told Cassie that Maddie had having given up styrofoam cups with
coming into your home is with a stick of incense. Energy, MSU Extension being a bit more conservative with our refused the zip lock bag she offered ease once the suggestion was made.
(Some hardware stores sell "smoke pencils" for this resources we can reduce the amount her to carry work home. Instead One more idea from Cassie before we
Additional Resources of trash we throw out. Cassie Younts Maddie said, “That’s ok, I’ll just put leave you to ponder what you do to
purpose). Light the incense and inspect your home,
does that every week. Here’s how: this in my folder, I don’t want to use a reuse, recycle and reduce: “If you
from the inside, for air leaks. Choose a breezy day,
energy-
Websites with more energy-saving tips: Cassie takes advantage of the city’s plastic bag.” have something useful to get rid of try
and go around windows, areas where plumbing and free recycling program. (Call 456-3232 “Freecycle” on Yahoo and post it.
http://web1.msue.msu.edu/iac/energy
wiring go through walls, attic doors, entry doors and for information) Between recycling The family buys lots of goods from Somebody out there will see your
www.energysavers.gov
fireplace dampers. How much the smoke drifts paper, plastic and metals, she winds places like Goodwill, garage sales and trash as their treasure!
horizontally from the incense will reveal how serious Professional energy audit: up with an average of one tall kitchen consignment stores like Once Upon
the leak is. Most leaks can be quickly plugged with Residential Energy Services Network trash bag every week. She also com- a Child on Alpine. Buying local is If you have an interesting
exterior silicone caulk--be sure to caulk the leaks from important too, says Cassie, because
www.natresnet.org/directory/raters.aspx posts to build rich soil for gardening. story about how you reduce,
the outside of the house, or moisture will build up in- “whether it’s used or new, the energy
web-
Free, web-based home energy audit tools: “I’m not perfect but I’m always saved by buying local helps protect reuse and recycle, let us know!
side the walls.
www.hes.lbl.gov working on ways to be better at the our natural resources.” Call the CNA office and ask
*Keep the draperies and shades on your south facing http://my.dteenergy.com/home/myEnergyAnalyzer.html “3-R’s,” she says, “It’s about attitude for Ruth Kelly’s contact info.
and taking it seriously.” In addition to The family joined a CSA, or
windows open during the day to allow the sunlight to We’d love to get some
Home Repair Services the usual paper products like news- Community Supported Agricultural
enter your home and closed at night to reduce the chill
Offers home maintenance classes, including weather- papers and bags, Cassie recycles farm for the first time this summer more ideas!
from cold windows. and plans to do it yearly. By
ization, a tool lending library, and the Builder’s wrappers from cans, tags from cloth-
*Change your furnace filter regularly. ing, toilet paper rolls, cereal boxes, paying a portion of the cost of
Abundance store, where you can buy building
literally everything paper. produce up front, farmers get the
materials at discounted prices. Call or visit their capital they need to start the
*Dial down your thermostat’s temperature; especially (Interestingly, a study done by the
website to find out if you qualify for services; classes planting season. Members go
when you are not home or at night. When areas are Michigan State University Extension
are free and open to the public. (616) 241-2601 or collect their fruits and vegetables
unoccupied for at least eight hours, a temperature of states that since 1970, paper has
www.homerepairservices.org once a week and learn to eat
55 degrees is recommended. Even small temperature increased in landfills and accounts for
setbacks can produce substantial savings. For about 34 percent by weight and 38 what’s fresh. Extra food is frozen,
Habitat for Humanity ReStore
percent by volume of the landfills shared or canned.
example, it costs 22% more to heat an area to 72 Sells building materials at discounted prices. No
degrees, rather than 68. eligibility criteria; it is open to the public. They are dug.) Cassie says she’s become much
located at: 5701 S Division Ave or (616) 531-4591 Packaging is something Cassie pays more cautious about buying junk
*Close off rooms you do not use regularly (unless and tries instead to buy what will
there is risk of pipes freezing), shut air vents, and Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) attention to. Like many, she reuses
gift bags and saves tissue paper. last and not end up in a landfill. A
push a towel under the door to only heat the area you Provides Property Improvement Program loans to friend who works at UICA in
When making a purchase, she tries to
need. qualifying homeowners for weatherization. downtown Grand Rapids told her
avoid buying individually wrapped
items. For example, juice boxes are that they recycle at this
*Turn down your hot water to low (120-140 degrees) Call Department of Human Services, Salvation Army,
out, refilling a plastic container for community based artist’s
ACSET, or DTE Energy if you are having trouble organization and have labeled
*Put up storm windows or apply plastic sheeting to paying your utility bills or need help applying for the girls’ lunches is in. The girls
windows return their plastic bags for rewash- their dumpster with a sign that
the Home Heating Tax Credit. say’s “Landfill Only” so people
ing and reuse. Most lunch box items
*Wrap your hot water heater with insulation. A hot are packaged in reusable containers. stop and think: “Do I want to add
water heater uses 12 to 15 percent of a typical home’s
Page 8 The North End Connection January-February 2009 Page 9