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It’s almost Valentine’s Day, and that means it’s time for some fun at the Post. As always, we want to know who has the most luscious lips in Cedar Springs—male or female! Show us your lips by entering our 19th annual “Best Lips” contest by February 6. We’re going to shake it up a bit this year and let YOU—the readers—decide who wins! We will print the finalists in our paper on Thursday, February 9. Then readers will go online to our website to vote for who they think should win. Winners will be announced in our February 16 edition. Click here for details.

These two pileated woodpeckers were spotted in Cedar Springs last winter, by two different people. Send your bird photos to news@cedarspringspost.com.

Calling all bird lovers!  The National Bird-Feeding Society (NBFS) is pleased to announce that February is National Bird-Feeding Month!  The theme for 2011 is “Most Wanted–America’s Top Ten Backyard Birds.”

Throughout the month, the NBFS will highlight the joys of bird feeding by providing tips and techniques to create a successful bird feeding and watching experience.

“While many of the top ten birds can be found year round, others may only visit during spring and fall migration or during the breeding or wintering season,” commented Dr. David Horn, director of the NBFS and associate professor of biology at Millikin University.  “By providing bird seed and bird feeders year round, offering alternative bird foods and water, putting up bird houses, and making your yard safe for birds, you can enjoy America’s ‘Most Wanted’ backyard birds.”

The Top Ten Backyard Birds east of the Rocky Mountains are the American Goldfinch, Chickadee (Black-capped/Carolina), Dark-eyed Junco, Downy Woodpecker, House Finch, Northern Cardinal, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Tufted Titmouse, and White-breasted Nuthatch.

With the exception of the hummingbirds, who feed on nectar, the top ten birds eat bird seed.  Among their most preferred bird foods are black-oil sunflower, Nyjer^® (thistle), sunflower hearts, and white proso millet and are attracted to tube, hopper, and platform bird feeders.

“Whether you live in a rural, suburban or urban environment, there are always birds that can be attracted to your yard,” continued Horn.  “Having the right combination of food and feeders is the key to a successful bird feeding experience.”

“Whatever the reason you feed wild birds, bringing America’s ‘Most Wanted’ backyard birds to your yard will be an enjoyable experience,” remarked Stacey Johansen, manager of the NBFS.  “It’s an entertaining, educational and inexpensive pastime that can be enjoyed by people of all ages.”

National Bird-Feeding Month was established in 1994. Over 55 million Americans over the age of 16 feed birds around their home, making bird-feeding the second most popular hobby in the United States behind gardening.

For more information on National Bird-Feeding Month, visit www.birdfeeding.org.

Spartan Stores  announced the voluntary recall last Friday of eight deli products with a sell by date of January 20th through February 1st, 2012, that contain hard cooked eggs produced by Michael Foods of Minnetonka, Minnesota. Michael Foods is recalling their hard cooked egg products due to possible contamination with Listeria Monocytogenes. The deli products being voluntarily recalled are:

Egg Spread; Sandwich with egg spread; prepackaged containers of salad including small and large chef, seven layer, no meat small and large chef, and no meat seven layer salad.

Stores has received no confirmation of illness associated with the consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact their healthcare provider immediately. All of the products involved in the recall should be returned for a full refund or replacement.

Consumers with questions about the recall may contact Spartan Stores’ Consumer Affairs at 1-800-451-8500 or contact Michael Foods Customer Service at 877-367-3447.

Joe Watson and his wife Florence.

The Red Flannel Festival Board of Directors proudly named Cedar Springs resident Joe Watson, Sr. as the 2012 Grand Marshal for the 73rd Annual Celebration, to be held on Saturday, October 6, 2012.

Watson, 77, moved to Cedar Springs in 1963. He was raised in Virginia, and served in the military in North Carolina before moving here. He and his wife, Florence, have been married 54 years and raised five children: Jedonne, Joseph Jr., Charlie, Kelli and Merri. All graduated from Cedar Springs High School.

“The Festival is extremely proud and thankful for the many years of Mr. Watson’s outstanding dedication to the entire Cedar Springs community,” said Michele Tracy-Andres, President of the Festival. “His outstanding community service in several organizations is very impressive and exactly what we look for in a Red Flannel Festival Grand Marshal. It’s very obvious Joe loves Cedar Springs and especially the Red Flannel Festival! The Red Flannel Town is a better place because of Joe’s involvement.”

Watson has been a leader in the community, volunteering his time to several organizations coaching youth sports and was one of the founding members of the Cedar Springs Athletic Association (created for youth athletics) prior to the formation of the Athletic Boosters. He supported the Festival for several years with his dedicated service as a Keystone Kop and Grand Parade Organizer.

Watson said he is excited to serve and honored to be chosen. “I think it’s a nice gesture,” he remarked. “I was very surprised.”

Mr. Watson and his wife Florence will reign over the two weekends of the 15th oldest Festival in the state of Michigan, sharing the Red Flannel warmth of our community to visitors and residents.

They are popping up like wildflowers! These colorful jars to support the Cedar Springs Library are popping up at local businesses everywhere. Look for these matching fundraiser jars and throw in your loose change (we take paper money, too) to help the library get closer to the $50,000 matching grant towards a new building.

Thanks to the CTA staff and students for their part in decorating the containers—they are truly works of art! Also, a big thanks to the Cedar Springs Post and the many others who have put in their time and effort to support our local library.

Airman Jacquelyn M. Champion, a 2010 graduate of Cedar Springs High School, graduated from basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, on January 13, 2012, and is now at Sheppard Air Force Base, in Texas, doing her technical school.

Jacquelyn is the daughter of Jim and Theresa Champion, of Cedar Springs.

By Pastor Darryl Miller

Four years ago, Robin DeLine saw something that she knew wasn’t right. Some of the children at Beach Elementary school were not getting supper. When they left the school, they would not eat another meal until the next day. So she started the Beach Picnic Basket program. Now Robin and a couple of volunteers make and distribute 100 meals a day to students from pre-school to high school seniors. The program is run solely on donations, and more requests are expected as the school year continues.

“We are always in need of volunteers to help make sandwiches and pack the meals,” said Wendy Conely, a volunteer who has been with the program since it’s beginning. Their motto is: “No child in Cedar Springs Public School will go to bed hungry.”

Would you be willing to help? You can contact Robin at the school at 696-0350. Items needed are: peanut butter, jam, fruitcups or puddings, individually wrapped items (granola bars, fruit snack, cookies, etc.), any fresh fruit, bread, Ziplock sandwich and brown lunch bags, and juice pouches. Monetary donations are also welcome, because they are also fortunate enough to be able to purchase items at a reduced price from Feeding America and the North Kent Community Services.

Sarah’s Deal’s workshop: directions to register for the Sarah’s Deals workshop on Februay 11 were not correct in last week’s Post. The workshop will feature Shopping Tips 101 from noon to 2 p.m., and from 2-4 p.m. will cover creating a stockpile and bulk cooking tips. To register for the event, go to http://www.sarahsdeals.net, click on “Start Here,” and then on “Coupon classes.”

Location of memorial: Wayne Price wrote us to let us know that he gave us the wrong location last week for the granite memorial that was created to honor his brother, Jack Price, and three others from Jack’s OCS class that died in Viet Nam. It is in Fort Benning, Georgia, not Fort Sheridan. “I’m very sorry for the error,” said Wayne.

This style of Dodge Ram pickup, made between 1994-2001, was the most stolen vehicle in Michigan in 2011. Photo by Brian Cantoni.

The Michigan Automobile Theft Prevention Authority (ATPA) recently announced that auto thefts in Michigan are down 9.35 percent from 2009 to 2010. Since the inception of the ATPA in 1986, auto thefts in Michigan have fallen by 62 percent.

“Our success in the battle against auto theft is the direct result of the dedication and efforts of the 110 men and women who are funded by grants provided by the ATPA and are a part of our state’s law enforcement agencies, prosecuting attorney’s offices and statewide community groups,” said Dan Vartanian, Executive Director of the ATPA.

“Thanks also should be directed to our partners in the fight against auto crime: Crime Stoppers, HEAT (Help Eliminate Auto Thefts), and the many investigators around the state who are employed by the insurance industry.”

In 2011, the top 10 vehicles stolen in Michigan are all pickup trucks, with various years and colors of the Dodge Ram pickup taking six of the 10 places. Number one was the 2000 Dodge Ram pickup, followed by the 1999 Dodge Ram pickup, the 2002 Dodge Ram Pickup, the 1998 Ford Pickup, the 1997 Dodge Ram pickup, the 1998 Dodge Ram pickup, the 2003 Dodge Ram pickup, the 1996 Chevrolet pickup, the 1999 Ford pickup, and the 1997 Chevrolet pickup.

The ATPA is funded by an annual $1 assessment on each insured noncommercial passenger vehicle, plus interest earned by investing those funds. It is governed by a seven-member board of directors appointed by the Governor, which includes representatives of law enforcement, automobile insurers and consumers of automobile insurance. Each year the board awards grants to law enforcement agencies, prosecutors’ offices and nonprofit community organizations to prevent auto theft, catch auto thieves and put the thieves in jail.

They are man’s best friend, furry and loyal, so they deserve your best attention.  Don’t let your four-legged friend go without a license!  Michigan law requires all dogs four months of age or older be licensed on an annual basis.  Getting a license is faster and easier than ever, now that you can get a new license or renew online at https://www.accesskent.com/DogLicense/.  Licenses may also be purchased at the Kent County Animal Shelter, the Kent County Treasurer’s Office, the Kent County Humane Society, or numerous city and township offices.

Regular Fees through March 1, 2012 are $12.00 for a spayed or neutered dog, and $26.00 for one that is not. The fee doubles after March 1.

Senior Citizens get a 50 percent discount. For them it is $6.00 for a spayed or neutered dog until March 1, and $13.00 for one that is not. The fee doubles after March 1.

You must present a valid certificate of rabies vaccination and proof of spay/neuter for your dog(s) in order to receive a license.  If you order online, you must scan the documents needed. You will be billed at the higher rate until the clerk verifies the documents. If you purchase a new dog, you have 30 days to get a license without paying a penalty, but you must show a dated proof-of-purchase.  A license tag on your dog will help get it home safely if lost, reduce the chance of theft, show that your dog is vaccinated against rabies, AND spare you from a $50 violation.

The Kent County Animal Shelter is located at 740 Fuller NE, in Grand Rapids.  Licenses can be obtained M-F from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m.– noon. Pet adoptions are available until one hour before the shelter closes. Call the Kent County Animal Shelter more information: 616.632.7300.