News from City of Alma

City of Alma E-Newsletter
September 2011

City of Alma Construction Update

Superior Street Reconstruction Project:

Superior Street opened to traffic on August 31, 2011. The section of W. Superior Street from the west City limits to Charles Avenue has been under construction through much of the summer and has been a large inconvenience for many people. The opening of the street will remove the long and cumbersome detour routes and is open in time for school traffic which will begin early next week.

Pine River Sanitary Sewer Project:

Actual construction on the Pine River Sanitary Sewer is substantially completed. Ely Street from Rockingham to Grafton has been resurfaced and traffic is no longer detoured. The new sanitary sewer which extends from the Ely - Rockingham intersection northeastward to near the City Hall building is now operational and provides transmission of sanitary sewer service to nearly all of the residents south of Ely Street. Restoration work of disturbed areas has to be completed and final clean-up of the project site and areas will complete the project.

N. Court Avenue Watermain:

The construction of the new watermain on N. Court Avenue is nearing completion. Presently homes are being connected to the new 8 inch watermain that has been installed. Once all residents have been connected to the new watermain the old four inch watermain will be disconnected and abandoned.

2011 Capital Improvement Project:

Construction started on the 2011 Capital Improvement Project on Thursday August 25th. The project includes four street reconstruction projects. Work has started on Virginia Street, but the project also includes work to be completed on Golfside Drive, Pineview Court, and Ferris Street.

Sidewalk Replacement Program:

The 2011 Sidewalk Replacement Program is in what should be its final two weeks of work. Sidewalks that have been replaced this year were the south side of Superior between Charles and Philadelphia, both sides of Philadelphia, Pineview, Westview, Fleming, and Center Street from Fleming to Philadelphia. The only remaining street within the designated boundary left to complete is Fleming.

September Events

School starts September 6th

Please watch for kids & drive carefully

Free Movie in Wright Park

Come joine us on Thursday, September 1 when McDonalds of Alma in conjunction with Alma Action Association will have a free magic show and movie in Wright Park. The magic show starring Ronald McDonald, will start at 7:00 p.m. followed by the family animated movie RIO at dusk. Bring a lawn chair and be prepared to be entertained!

Lucky MacDuck Day

Lucky MacDuck Logo

Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 10, 2011 for the 10h Annual Lucky MacDuck Community Day. The activities will be held south of the Alma Public Library at Highland Park. Lucky MacDuck is a day of fun, games and activities for the young and young at heart!

The children's "quacktivities" will include games and entertainment such as pony rides, inflatables, face painting and play/craft activities with the purchase of a $5.00 wrist band. The Creative Arts Guild of Mid-Michigan will host an exhibit of local artists, with many of the pieces available for purchase. The entertainment tent will provide constant music and dancing by area performers starting at noon. Grilled hot dogs, hamburgs, scones and beverages will be available for purchase. A 50-50 raffle will also be held.

As always, the day's activities conclude with the exciting rubber duck race down the Pine River at 3:00. Cash prizes of $1,000, $500 & $250 will be awarded for the three top finishers. Additional prizes of goods and services donated by local merchants and businesses will be awarded to a large number of the subsequent finishing ducks. Ducks are available for purchase for $5 each; "Quack Packs" (6 ducks) for $25; "Bakers Dozen" (13 ducks) for $50; or a "Flock" (30 ducks) for $120. For more information and to purchase your ducks, stop in at ABC Music, 325 N. State Street or call 989-285-3171.

Gratiot County Players Present:

The Complete Works Of William Shakespeare (abridged)

Not a Shakespeare fan? Not to worry, you will be after seeing this show! The cast consists of three men. They will portray a multitude of characters.

This fast paced, physical condensation of Shakespeare's work hits the high notes with comedy, costumes, sock puppets, daggers, and rap. It is reminiscent of Saturday Night Live and Fractured Fairy Tales with a cooking show thrown in. To quote the "Los Angeles Herald", "Shakespeare as written by Reader's Digest, acted by Monty Python, and performed at the speed of the minute waltz." This hilarious comedy is directed by Nancy Peska with Suzanne Cline as assistant director. Susan Beckett is the stage manager, Dianne Wieferich the producer, Daisy Beckett with sound, and Julie Frick with lighting. Directed by Nancy Peska.

Show dates:

September 9, 10, 11, 16,17,18, 2011

Friday/Saturday at 7:00 p.m.

Sunday at 3:00 p.m.

Gratiot County United Way Road Rally United Way logo

"The Last Lap" - Gratiot County United Way Road Rally will take place on Thursday, September 15, 2011. This is a fun rally, with no special equipment required. Just follow the instructions and set your clock! The rally will start and finish at the Alma Elks Lodge at 610 W. Warwick Drive, Alma. The registration fee is $35 for the driver and navigator and $15 for each additional person (limit 6 participants per vehicle). A "Victory Lap" ticket will be provided to each participant. Only 50 entries are accepted prior to the event.

Participants should plan to be at the Elks by 4:00 p.m. to sign in. The driver's meeting will be held at 4:30 p.m. with the flag dropping for the road rally at 5:00 p.m.

If you are unable to participate in the road rally, you are invited to join the Victory Lap Celebration after the rally with food music, rally awards and fun with friends.

To get a copy of the flyer and the entry form please contact Shelly Buschle at 463-5709 or at the United Way office at 525 N. State Street.

Steam Engine Returns

The Steam Railroading Institute (SRI) in Owosso will again be bringing a couple of Steam Engine Train Excursions to the area on October 1 & 15.

The first trip will run from Ithaca to Cadillac. The train will depart from Ithaca at 9:00 a.m. with a planned arrival in Cadillac at 12:30 p.m. Following a two-hour visit of downtown Cadillac, the train will board passengers at 3:00 p.m. for a scheduled 7:00 p.m. return to Ithaca.

Coach tickets - $125

First Class tickects - $299

The next trip will run from Owosso to Alma. Passengers will board from the Steam Railroading Institute, and travel to Alma, arriving around 1:00 p.m. Passengers will explore Alma's quaint and historic downtown and then board at 3:00 p.m. for the return trip to Owosso.

Coach tickets - $99

First Class tickets - $249

Purchase your tickets on line at michigansteamtrain.com/sri/ or by calling (989) 399-7589.

Did You Know....

Alma has more than 35 places to "grab a bite" with a wide variety of food offerings? Home-style dining - we have it. A quick meal - there are many choices for franchise fast food. Ethnic foods - we have Italian, Mexican and Chinese. A sweet tooth - we have you covered with sweet treats such as handmade candies, cakes and premium ice cream. Stopping for lunch? We have burgers and pizza as well as made-to-order sandwiches and deli subs and wraps.

Check out the City's website to see all your options. You won't be disappointed.

Neighboorhood Street Millage Proposal

Look for a proposal on the upcoming November ballot asking for a renewal of the 2.5 millage program. The millage is used for the rehabilitation, repair and maintenance of public streets and ancillary public infrastructure within the City. This millage costs a homeowner $2.50 per $1,000 taxable value. The program has been in place since its first approval in 1987 and has facilitated the reconstruction of many streets. Follow the link to see the location of completed streets and the streets planned under the new millage proposal as well as a cost breakdown for the proposed streets. A copy of the ballot proposal language is also available. Remember, this is a continuance of the current millage, not an increase.

Taxes Due September 15th

Property owners are reminded that property taxes are due by 5:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 15, 2011. Taxes paid after September 15th will be subject to a 4% penalty.

American Red Cross Community Blood Drives

Mark your calendar for the upcoming drives:

Tuesday, September 6: noon - 5:45 p.m.

Ithaca Community Center

Thursday, September 15: noon - 5:45 p.m.

St. Louis Church of Christ

Monday, September 26: 8:30 a.m. - 2:15 p.m.

Ithaca High School

Wednesday, September 28: 11:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.

Alma College

Wednesday, September 28: noon - 4:45 p.m.

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

For more information or to schedule an appointment call 463-3209.

The Alma Farm Market offers fresh fruits, vegetables, plants and more! Wednesdays & Saturdays throughout the summer & fall 7:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. in the City Parking Lot at the corner of Woodworth & Downie.

The City of Alma and the Family Fare Pharmacy in conjunction with the Great Lakes Clean Water Organization are sponsoring a "Yellow Jug Old Drugs" program for area residents. The program offers you an opportunity to dispose of unused/unwanted

/expired drugs in a safe and environmentally friendly manner.

If you have any drugs you would like to dispose of, take them to the Pharmacy Department at Family Fare and place them in the Yellow Jug. Narcotics are NOT a part of this program at this time.

If you have any questions please call 463-8336 or the Family Fare Pharmacy at 463-0411.

All property owners are required to keep weeds and grass mowed. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact City Assessor Brian Dancer at 463-8356.

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