City to announce new service at Resident Appreciation Night today

Today, City Manager Jeff Pomeranz will hold a news conference at 4:00 p.m. at Lindale Mall to announce a new City service debuting this week. City staff will also demonstrate the new service at the Resident Appreciation Night event today between 4 and 8 p.m. in the Lindale Mall food court.

• WHAT: City of Cedar Rapids News Conference, hosted by Jeff Pomeranz
• WHEN: Thursday, December 8, at 4:00 p.m.
• WHERE: Lindale Mall food court, 4444 First Avenue NE

After the news conference, the first 200 residents who stop by the City's booths will receive a free reusable bag filled with gifts and information. All residents are invited to register to win a $50 gift certificate for recreation programs.

More than eight City departments and divisions will host 13 booths in the food court and three displays in the parking lot nearby. City employees will offer special activities for kids, helpful information for adults and gather input from all residents on community projects. The event includes opportunities to:

• Learn about the new fire station building projects, the new library and the new Amphitheater & Levee project
• See a City mapping demonstration
• Get the latest update on street improvement projects
• Provide input on the new welcome signs to be installed at the I-380 entrances to Cedar Rapids
• Paint a snow plow blade
• Make an ornament craft with your friends from the Cedar Rapids Public Library
• See how a fire truck and police car work
• Meet a police K-9 dog
• Help us name the City's newest mascot, the river otter
• See photos of the newest animal to join the Bever Zoo in 2012

Learn more about Resident Appreciation Night at www.Cedar-Rapids.org