The Cedar Springs Public Library has now hit $30,000 in its efforts towards earning a $50,000 matching grant.

“I really think we can do it,” said Library Director Donna Clark, referring to the other $20,000 needed.

The Library building fund committee has been hard at work with businesses and community partners since last fall on setting up fundraisers to meet the goal. One such fundraiser that occurred last week was the all-you-can-eat taco bar at Big Boy’s. According to the committee, donations and ticket sales at the event topped $1,300 for the Library (including $40 in t-shirt sales).

“Our thanks to everyone who came to support our library and to the many volunteers, management and the restaurant staff who gave their time and energy to the cause,” said Fundraising co-chairs Vicky Babcock and Alicia Imhoff. Author David Stricklen came to sign his books despite having knee surgery mere hours before the event. You can check out his website at www.blackwaterpond.com.

For a complete listing of upcoming library events and to donate via paypal, visit cedarsprings.llcoop.org.

John Kangas, a 2000 Cedar Springs graduate, will make his directorial debut this weekend with the short film “Last Call,” which was filmed in Cedar Springs. It will premier this Friday, May 4, at 7 p.m. at Compass College of Cinematic Arts, 41 Sheldon Blvd. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.

Kangas, 30, said he was instrumental in launching the T.V. Production class during high school. He was also involved in theater production. After high school, he joined the United States Army, and was stationed in Bamberg, Germany and served two tours in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Kangas is currently enrolled at Compass College of Cinematography. His first taste of film production was as first assistant director on “Shotgun Wedding,” then as second assistant director on “Not So Perfect Crime.” He moved up to director for “Last Call.”

Ashley Matthis, 26, also a Compass film student, is producer on “Last Call.”

The movie features Shawn, (Dustin Willi Wilfert) an IRA bomber who felt that his actions were justified. After 5 years of a peaceful life, he meets a disfigured woman (Alicia Deven Clark), whom he had hurt in a bombing ten years earlier. The story is about what happens during their encounter.

For those of you looking for some good deals, the Solon Farmers, Crafts and Flea Market will run every Saturday beginning May 5 through harvest, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Some tables are available. No charge for vendors with the exception that first time flea market vendors will be charged a refundable $20.00 fee. This fee will be returned following clean-up. Solon Farmers Market is located at 15185 Algoma Ave., Cedar Springs. Call (616) 696-1718 for information.

Note Date Correction

Please join the Cedar Springs High School Jazz Band on Tuesday, May 15, at the Cedar Springs Middle School Cafeteria, for the fifth annual “Spring Into Jazz” performance. This outstanding ensemble, under the direction of Mr. Robert Robuck, will be performing jazz and swing music spanning the last 70 years. They will also be feature guest artist Mr. Bob Nixon. Mr. Nixon is the leader of the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra and a well-known and respected jazz clinician and soloist.

Performance time is 7:00 p.m. Tickets prices are $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children, and will be available at the door.

Each year the Post prints a list in the Memorial Day issue of veterans buried in area cemeteries. Due to a technology glitch last year, there were several we missed. If we missed your vet, or if you have one that’s never been listed, please send us their name, note if they served in a war or conflict, and what cemetery they are buried in. They do not need to have been killed in battle to be listed.

Email the info to news@cedarspringspost.com, and put Veteran’s Day in the subject line. Include your name and phone number in the email. Or, send to PO Box 370, Cedar Springs, MI 49319.

Church Yard Sale

May 3-5: There will be a church yard sale on Thursday, May 3, 9 am – 6 pm, Friday, May 4, 9 am – 6 pm and Sat. May 5 from 9 am – 1 pm. Hope Community Church, 7000 Myers Lake Ave., Rockford.  #18

Red Flannel Festival History Project

May 5: We’ve been so busy for 73 years making history, we haven’t had time to write it down! Join us  at the Red Flannel Office, 21 E. Maple St. on Sat. May 5 from 10 am to 1 pm to begin documentation for our Red Flannel History Book! Bring stories, photographs, your own observations.. be a part of our proud Red Flannel Festival historical project! Can’t attend? Please submit by email to president@redflannelfestival.org or mail to PO Box 43, Cedar Springs, MI 49319. Please call 616-696-2662 or RSVP today! #17,18p

Jubal Brass Choir to Perform at Cedar Springs UMC

May 6: Cedar Springs United Methodist Church will host Jubal Brass at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 6. Jubal Brass is a faith-based, 19-member brass choir from the Kent County area. The ensemble’s repertoire includes a wide range of church music ranging from the 1600s to contemporary arrangements done by the groups conductor, Chris Hansen. If you have never heard a brass choir in
concert, you are in for a treat. They will ring the rafters with their full, rich sound. A free-will offering will be received for the group’s expenses. #18

Dinner at the Legion

May 7: American Legion, 80 Main St. Cedar Springs, is hosting a Swiss steak dinner on Monday, May 7 from 5 – 7 pm. Included will be mashed potatoes & gravy, baked beans, veggies, rolls, dessert and drink. All dinners are $9, children $4. Take out is available. #18p

Mother/Daughter Salad Luncheon

May 19: Sand Lake United Methodist Church, 45 W. Maple St., will have a Mother/Daughter Salad Luncheon on Sat. May 19^th at 12:30 pm. Help us celebrate 140 years of ministry! If you have any history with SLUMC, we would love to see you again. RSVP before Thurs. May 17^th. 616-887-0890 or 616-636-5425.  #18

Did you know that, according to the 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, more Americans currently abuse prescription drugs than the number of those using cocaine, hallucinogens, and heroin combined? Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet.

This Saturday, April 28, the Drug Enforcement Administration and its community partners will give the public another opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. On Saturday, the DEA and its partners will hold their fourth National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day at sites nationwide. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

Locally, the Cedar Springs Police Department will have a drop box available to dispose of medications between noon and 2 p.m., during the surplus auction behind City Hall, 66 S. Main St. They do not accept liquids or syringes. But they do accept pills in their packs or bottles. According to Police Chief Roger Parent, the bottles and pills will be destroyed in an incinerator so there is no danger of anyone getting someone’s prescription information.

If you can’t make it Saturday, the Cedar Springs Police also has that drop box available inside City Hall during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

In Rockford, both the Michigan State Police and the Rockford Police Department will collect medications between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturday.

This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse, and abuse. “Prescription drug abuse is a major epidemic across the country and DEA is committed to reducing the potential for misuse by providing a safe and secure method for Americans to clean out their medicine cabinets and properly dispose of unwanted, unneeded, or expired medication,” said DEA Administrator Michele M. Leonhart.  “Americans responded overwhelmingly to DEA’s first three Take-Back Day events, disposing of nearly 500 tons of medication in the past two years. This nationwide community effort prevents home medicine cabinets from becoming sources of dangerous—and even deadly—drugs.”

Red Flannel Queen Scholarship Pageant Kick Off Meeting

Apr. 30: Interested in volunteering for the Pageant, Queen’s Tea or Scholarship Committee? Join us on Monday, April 30 at 7 pm at 21 E. Maple St. (Red Flannel Building) for the first Royal meeting of the 2012 Season! Call 616-696-2662 or RSVP!  #17

TOPS weight loss support group

May 1: Take off pounds sensibly (TOPS), a non-profit weight loss sport group for men and women, meets every Tuesday at the Resurrection Lutheran Church in Sand Lake. Your first visit is free so come check out what TOPS can do to help you reach your weight loss goals! Exercise 8-8:30am (optional), weigh-ins from 8:30am–9am and the meeting starts at 9:15am. Call Martha at 696-1039 for more information. #17

Red Flannel Festival History Project

May 5: We’ve been so busy for 73 years MAKING HISTORY, we haven’t had time to WRITE IT DOWN! Join us  at the Red Flannel Office, 21 E. Maple St. on Sat. May 5 from 10 am to 1 pm to begin documentation for our RED FLANNEL HISTORY BOOK! Bring stories, photographs, your own observations.. be a part of our proud Red Flannel Festival historical project! Can’t attend? Please submit by email to president@redflannelfestival.org or mail to PO Box 43, Cedar Springs, MI 49319. Please call 616-696-2662 or RSVP today!.  #17,18p

North Kent Toastmasters Club – Where Leaders Are Made

May 1,15: Toastmaster members enhance valuable leadership and speaking skills through practice and encouragement. Members progress through the manual at their own pace. Guests always welcome. The meeting is at 7 pm at Prudential Preferred Realtors, 502 Northland Dr., north of  Our Lady of Consolation Catholic Church & 11 Mile Rd. Rockford. For directions call Sue 616-866-3509 or club website www.nkctm.org.  #17

Annual Cub Scout Flower Sale

May 5: This year the annual Cub Scout Flower sale will take place on May 5,th, 6th and 12th. They will have flowers at Tractor Supply in Cedar Spring and the Mobil station on Northland Dr. and 14 Mile. Both locations will be open from 9 am until 6 pm. Pre-sale tickets may be purchased from any Cub Scout. These flower baskets are beautiful and would make great Mother’s day gifts.  #17

Pancake Breakfast – HCNC Fund Raiser

May 6: Imagine buttered pancakes smothered in warm maple syrup, hot sausage, orange juice and coffee. What’s not to like about a pancake breakfast fund raiser event. Please help support HCNC! Keep the doors open! Sunday May 6, 9 am – 11:30 am. Donation of $/person, $4/seniors, $18 family of four or more. Howard Christensen Nature Center, 16190 Red Pine Dr. Kent City. #17

Annual Rummage Sale

May10-12: The Sand Lake United Methodist Church, 45 W. Maple St. Sand Lake, will have its annual rummage sale on May 10, 11 and 12. 9 am – 5 pm on Thursday and Friday, 9 am – Noon on Saturday.  #17

A man is in bed with his wife when there is a rat-a-tat-tat on the door. He rolls over and looks at his clock, and it’s half past three in the morning. “I’m not getting out of bed at this time,” he thinks, and rolls over.

Then, a louder knock follows.

“Aren’t you going to answer that?” asks his wife.

So he drags himself out of bed and goes downstairs. He opens the door and there is a man standing at the door. It doesn’t take the homeowner long to realize the man is drunk.

“Hi there,” slurs the stranger. “Can you give me a push?”

“No, get lost. It’s half past three. I was in bed,” says the man and slams the door.

He goes back up to bed and tells his wife what happened and she says, “Dave, that wasn’t very nice of you. Remember that night we broke down in the pouring rain on the way to pick the kids up from the babysitter and you had to knock on that man’s house to get us started again? What would have happened if he’d told us to get lost?”

“But the guy was drunk,” says the husband.

“It doesn’t matter,” says the wife. “He needs our help and it would be the Christian thing to help him.”

So the husband gets out of bed again, gets dressed, and goes downstairs. He opens the door, and not being able to see the stranger anywhere he shouts, “Hey, do you still want a push?”

And he hears a voice cry out, “Yeah please.”

So, still being unable to see the stranger he shouts, “Where are you?”

And the drunk replies, “I’m over here, on your swing.”

As spring cleaning gets underway, the Sand Lake Lions are asking people to look through dresser drawers and closets for used eyeglasses and donate them to the Lions Recycle for Sight program.

During the months of April and May, the Sand Lake Lions Club will be collecting used prescription eyeglasses and prescription and non-prescription sunglasses as part of a unique recycling program. The collected glasses will be cleaned and prepared for distribution in developing countries where eye care is often unaffordable and inaccessible.

“We need everyone to donate their used eyeglasses, reading glasses and sunglasses,” said Rick Long, project chairman. “In most developing countries, an eye exam can cost as much as one month’s wages and a single eye doctor may serve a community of hundreds of thousands of people.”

The donated glasses will be shipped to a regional Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center where they will be cleaned, categorized by prescription, and prepared for distribution by Lions and other groups.

To donate used glasses (including sunglasses and reading glasses), place them in the specially marked Lions Recycle for Sight collection boxes located in Sand Lake at Independent Bank, Wesco, the Sand Lake/Nelson Township Library, and Sand Lake Foods.

The Sand Lake Lions Club is looking for new members, and meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m., and the fourth Saturday of the month at 9:30 a.m. at the Sand Lake/Nelson Township Library. Lions clubs are a group of men and women who identify needs within the community and work together to fulfill those needs. For more information or to get involved, please contact Rick Long at (616) 813-7533.