• The Rockford Public Schools has passed their Bond Prosposal which will generate an additional $45.8 Million For Building, Technology, & Facility Upgrades. The bond proposal, which passed by a 55% to 45% margin, will cover the following upgrades below. Additionally, the 2 school boards seats open will be filled by Tamara Schollaart and Randall Sellhorn, who garned 40% and 33% of the vote respectively.
  
  

Bond Proposal Breakdown - Total Votes (5,739)
    Yes: 3,177 (55%)        No: 2,562 (45%)

$32.1 Million - Upgrades to 6 Elementary Schools

$7.3 Million - Techology Upgrades

$6.4 Million - Athletic Facility Upgrades


School Board Election (Winners in Green)
       Tamara Schollaart - 3,420 Votes (40%)
       Randall Sellhorn - 2,892 Votes (33%)
       Jason Clauser - 2,384 Votes (27%)

• The Equest Center For Therapeutic Riding will be offer weeklong Summer Day camps for horse lovers of all ages and abilities. Classes will include daily riding lessons; instruction in horse care and feeding; proper tack selection; basic veterinary skills; driving lessons; games and crafts with horse themes and Much More! Plus, all campers will participate in a horse show on Friday, parents and spectators are welcome!
  

Cost: $200 Per Session

Session 1:  June 16 - 20           Session 2:  June 23 - 27
Session 3:  July 7 - 11               Session 4:  July 14 - 18
                         Session 5:  July 21 - 25

Each session will run from 9:00am-2:00pm Mon-Fri.

Where:  Equest Center For Therapeutic Riding   (View Map)

• On Thursday, May 8th, Bangz Hair Salon will be moving to a new location in downtown Rockford, 17 Squires Street.  The move will allow Bangz room for expansion and the addition of salon services.

What:  Bangz Hair Salon Moving to a New Location

When:  May 8th, 2008

Where:  17 Squires St.    (View Map)

For more information on Bangz Hair Salon, please visit their listing on TheRockfordNetwork.com by clicking below...

Bangz Hair Salon on TheRockfordNetwork.com

• Plainfield Township is pleased to announce that Versluis Park will be undergoing improvements to make the park more accessible to people with disabilities...

What:  Versluis Park Improvements

Plainfield Township is plesed to announce that with help from a grant from the state of Michigan's Recreation and Park Association Foundation that it will be replacing the existing wood chips in the park's playground area with a permanent rubber surface as well as a "ramping system".

The improvements to the park will allow for increased access to the park for people with disabilities.

To learn more about Versluis Park, please visit our area parks and recreation page on TheRockfordNetwork.com by clicking below...

Rockford Area Parks & Recreation

Versluis Park Opens for the Summer on May 25th, 2008

• The Wolverine Worldwide YMCA is pleased to announce its Grand Opening Celebration to celebrate the recent improvements to the facility...

What:  YMCA Grand Opening Celebration

Where:  Wolverine Worldwide YMCA
                 6555 Jupiter Ave.
                 Belmont, MI 49306

When:  May 8th, 2008   (3:30pm-7:30pm)

The Wolverine Worldwide YMCA will be hosting a Grand Opening Celebration on Thursday, May 5th to celebrate the over 14,000 sq. ft. of brand new additions to the YMCA.

The public is invited to take a tour of the brand new facilities that include a new track, cardio room, wellness center, rock climbing wall, gym, locker rooms, and much more...

To learn more about the YMCA, please click below...

Wolverine Worldwide Family YMCA

Special: Join by May 8th and Save $50.00

• TheRockfordNetwork.com is pleased to bring the area residents its newest informational resource, Rockford Apartments, Condos, and Townhomes.
  
  Whether For Rent, For Lease, or For Sale, the Apartments and Condos section is the Rockford area's most in-depth and detailed resource for housing options in the Rockford, Belmont, and Northern Grand Rapids areas...

What:  Apartments, Condos, & Townhomes Section

Where:  Online at TheRockfordNetwork.com

To learn more about the many housing options in the Rockford, MI and surrounding areas, please visit our Apartments and Condos section by clicking below...

Rockford, MI - Apartments, Condos, & Townhomes

As information becomes available, we will continue to add resources to the section. If you have any additional information or resources regarding housing options in the area, feel free to contact us and we will post the information...

• Rockford Community Services is pleased to announce that signup and registration for all spring community education classes is open starting April 14th online and April 18th by mail, fax, or in person...

Event:  Spring & Summer Community Ed. Classes

What:  Registration is Now Open

Where:  Online at www.rpssignmeup.com

For complete listing of all the classes being offered for the spring and summer months, as well as signup information, please click below...

2008 Spring & Summer Community Education Schedule

• The Chase Picnic Pops 2008 Schedule has been released. Starting July 10th, the 8 performance series will run for 4 consecutive weeks, ending on August 1st. The family friendly shows will be performed on Thursday and Friday evenings on the grassy slopes at Cannonsburg Ski Area...

Event:  Chase Picnic Pops @ Cannonsburg

When:  Thursday & Friday Evenings
                  July 10th - August 1st

Where:  Cannonsburg Ski Area

For more information on the 2008, Chase Picnic Pops,  please click below...

Chase Picnic Pops Schedule, Ticketing, & Information

• The Rockford Public Schools election is scheduled for May 6th, 2008, with polls open from 7am-8pm. There will be 2 issues on the ballot:
  
            Issue 1: Election of Board of Education Members
            Issue 2: Bond Proposal to Generate $45.8 Million For Building, Technology, & Facility Upgrades

Event:  Rockford Public Schools Election

When:  Tuesday, May 6th, 2008

Where:  Rockford School District
                    View Polling Locations

Ballot Issue 1: Election of Board of Education Members
                                Learn More...
Ballot Issue 2: Bond Proposal to Generate $45.8 Million
                                Learn More...

For more information on the election, please call Rockford Public Schools at (616) 863-6320.


Resources:  Listen to Dr. Michael Shibler Discuss the Election

• The City of Rockford has announced that the Rockford Spring Clean-up will take place on Saturday April, 26th. The City of Rockford will accept large bulky items and white goods only, no trash or construction items. The city asks that you have all items on the curbside by 6:00am. Crews will work throughout the day until the town is clean.

Event:  City of Rockford Spring Clean-Up

When:  Saturday, April 26th, 2008

Where:  City of Rockford  

Who:  Any City of Rockford Resident

For More Info:  Please Call Dick Johnston at (616) 866-1537

Sponsor:  City of Rockford

Press Release:  City of Rockford Spring Clean Up

• The Rockford Area Arts Commission and the Rogue River Theatre are pleased to announce the 2008 Rogue River Theatre Summer Arts Camp. The camp will be held July 21-25, 2008 at North Rockford Middle School. The theme of this year's camp will be "Broadway Bound" and is open to all students ages K-12. Cost of the camp is $90 per child for the week, and $85 for each additional child.

Event:  Rogue River Theater Summer Arts Camp

What:  Classes in Visual & Performing Arts

When:  July 21st - July 25th, 2008

Where:  North Rockford Middle School  

Who:  All Students Grades K-12

Cost:  $90 Per Student
            $85 Each Additional Student

Registration:  Please Call (616) 874-5264 or (616) 825-5011
                           Register Early...Space is Limited

Sponsor:  Rockford Area Arts Commission

• The Rockford Jaycees are proud to announce the annual Rockford Jaycees Toddler Photo Contest. In its 3rd year, the event is a fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Grand Rapids. Entrants will be narrowed down to 7 semi-finalists, boy and girl, with the winners being chosen by the public to be the Prince and Princess of the Start of Summer Celebration.

Event:  Rockford Jaycees 3rd Annual Toddler Photo Contest

When:  Entries Must Be Post Marked By May 16th, 2008

Judging:  Starting June 4th  

Voting:  Prior to the Start of Summer Celebration at D&W

Rules:
Toddlers must be between the ages of 1-4. Public Voting will take place at D&W prior to the Start of Summer Celebration, with semi-final judging taking place starting June 4th. Votes will be counted based on the number of dollars donated to each toddler's photo with each dollar counting as 100 votes. Money can be donated in any form: change, dollars, or checks.

All Proceeds Go to Benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation

Toddler Photo Contest Entry Form

Sponsor: Rockford Jaycees

• The HEART of Rockford Business Association will be officially ushering in the start of spring with the 1st Annual Bag of HEARTS Spring Fling. On March 29th, participating Rockford businesses will be selling recycled shopping bags containing a coupon for 10% off one item at a participating business.
  
  Additionally, anytime a customer shops with a HEART bag through April 30th, 2009, they will receive 10% off the purchase of one item (Some Restrictions May Apply). The 3rd Wednesday of each month customers with a HEART bag will receive 20% off one item at participating downtown businesses. The promotion will last until April 30, 2009!!!!

What: HEARTS Spring Fling

When: Saturday, March 29th, 2008 - April 30th, 2009

Where: Rotary Pavilion - Downtown Rockford (1pm-3pm)

Who:  Participating HEART of Rockford Merchants

Cost:  $2.00 Per Bag
            $.50 From Each Bag Purchased Goes to Relay For Life

Participating Merchants:
      Aunt Candy's Toy Company, Bangz Hair Salon, Baskets in       the Belfry, Belle of the Ball Bridal, Bow-Dacious, Courtland       & Main, Dam Dogs, G. Willikers, Great Northern Trading       Co., J.T. Stitchery, Jade, Kimberly's Boutique, Michigan       Shelf West, Newberry Cottage, Paper Doll, Powers       Outdoors, Right at Home, Right Up Your Alley, The Candle       Shop, Sage & Roses, Xscape Salon

• Traffic on Northland Dr. will be detoured around a section of Northland Dr. between 12 Mile Rd. and 13 Mile Rd. starting on April 1st. Crews will be widening the road to accomodate the increased business traffic. Scheduled Completion Date is July 3rd, 2008.

Project: Northland Dr. Road Improvement Project

What:  Widening to 5 Lanes to Accomodate Increased               Business Traffic

When:  Starting April 1st, 2008

Completion Date:  July 3rd, 2008

Details: Road will be Open to Businesses Only

• The Foremost's Butterflies are Blooming exhibit is the largest seasonal butterfly exhibit in the United States. Over a period of eight weeks, thousands of tropical butterflies flit and flutter in the tropical habitat of The Lena Meijer Conservatory at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.

Dates:  March 1st - April 30th 2008

Hours:  Monday, Wednesday-Saturday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
               Tuesday: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
               Sunday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Cost:  Adults (14 and over): $12.00
            Seniors (65 and over): $9.00
            Students (with student ID): $9.00
            Children (5-13): $6.00
            Children (3-4): $4.00
            Children 2 and under: Free

Location:  Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
                   1000 East Beltline Ave. NE
                   Grand Rapids, MI    49525

Sponsor:  Foremost Insurance Group & 95.7 Lite Rock

Website:  www.foremostbutterflies.com   

                   www.meijergardens.org

• Raffle Tickets for the 9th Annual Rally For Hope & Hunger to Benefit God's Kitchen and the Van Andel Institute are now on sale. The Raffle will be for a 2008 Harley Davidson Screamin' Eagle Dyna, valued at over $29,000. Only 3000 tickets will be sold this year with the drawing on Saturday, July 26th, 2008 at Wabasis Lake Park. Need not be present to win.

Cost:  $20.00 Per Ticket  (Make Checks Payable to CCWM)

Prize:  2008 Harley Davidson Screamin' Eagle Dyna

Available At:  Rockford Construction, WLAV, God's                            Kitchen, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids                            Harley Davidson, Blues on the Mall

Website:  www.rallyforhopeandhunger.org

Email:  rally@rockfordconstruction.com

Download Rally For Hope & Hunger Flyer