APL Free Movie Rentals

The library will offer free movie rentals for the month of December.  Adult library card holders may check out 4 movies at one time.  Once returned, you can check out 4 more!  Enjoy the great holiday classics. 

Mitten Tree

The library is sponsoring a Mitten Tree and collection box for the Salvation Army through December 12.  Mittens, gloves, hats and nonperishable food items as well as personal items (toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, soaps, etc.) are needed.  Please help us help those in need.  Thanks!

Christmas At The Library

The Friends of the Library will be hosting "Christmas at the Library" on Thursday evening, December 19 from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.  On hand will be several tables throughout the library with various Christmas collections, old and new, such as Nutcrackers, nativity scenes, Christmas decorations and Christmas books.  Please join us for a wonderful evening and let the Friends of the Library entertain you.

Red Cross Blood Drives

Let's give the ultimate gift this year, the gift of life!  Upcoming blood drives will be:

Tuesday, 12/3/13 - 1:00 p.m. - 6:45 p.m.

First Presbyterian Church, Alma

Saturday, 12/7/13 - 10:00 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.

Newark Countryside Christian School, Ithaca

Thursday, 12/26/13 - 12:00 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.

ZCBJ Hall, Bannister

Monday, 12/30/13 - 10:00 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.

Mid-Michigan Medical Center - Gratiot

To schedule an appointment, please call 800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767) or visit www.redcrossblood.org for more information.   

The Legacy of the

    Foul "Orange Barrel"

Orange traffic barrels will once again appear in the spring along some streets and walkways within our community. These irritating objects are symbols of inconvenience, delays, and frustration for motorist and pedestrians alike. The City of Alma apologizes for the difficulty such obstructions bring to the lives of our residents, but we would also like you to note that these are used for the safety of both motorist and pedestrians. These "orange barrels" are actually symbols of improvement, updated infrastructure and growth of our community.

Last year there were a number of outbreaks of the orange barrels around the community. Some of the more obvious projects were the closure of streets downtown, especially Superior Street during much of the summer for the construction of new sanitary sewer mains. Similarly there were outbreaks of orange traffic barrels on Iowa and Falkirk Streets for the same reason. These horrible orange barrels also appeared along Wright Avenue related to the construction of the new Meijer Store, and along N. State Street near Superior Street for the restoration of the Wright Opera Building downtown. Orange Barrels also appeared on Begole Road this past fall for the construction of a new watermain. These unpleasant orange barrels also appeared in a number of other locations throughout the community for street improvement projects, and improvements to several of the City's parks.

While the season for orange barrels has passed and they have gone south for the winter months, they will return in the spring. It is expected that infestations of orange barrels will occur at several locations throughout the City in the coming year. These locations include watermain construction along Center Street from Lincoln Ave to Pine Avenue, Bridge Street from Superior north to Willow Run, and possibly Michigan Avenue from Bridge to the US-127 overpass. Street improvement projects will also cause additional infestations of orange barrels to occur at the following locations:

Hill Street from Park Dr. to State Street

Court Ave from McCann to Ely Street

McCann from Court to Valley

Moyer Ave from Elizabeth to Hillcrest

Argyle Rd from Falkirk to Glencoe

Orchard from Charles to Argyle

Slater from Grafton to Court

We thank you for your understanding and cooperation.