City to announce new service at Resident Appreciation Night Thursday

City Manager Jeff Pomeranz will hold a news conference this Thursday, Dec. 8 at 4 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 on Thursday from 4 to 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:

• 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
• Meet the firefighters and police officers that keep you safe every day
• Meet our favorite mascots: CURBY, YARDY and McGruff the Crime 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 about the new fire station building projects, the new library and the new Amphitheater & Levee project
• Pick up a copy of winter sports locations and find out when they will be open
• See a City mapping demonstration
• Get your garbage and recycling questions answered
• Learn about bike safety and the metro trails network
• Find out how the Water Pollution Control Plant works
• Get the latest update on street improvement projects
• Find out which bus route you can take to get to work
• Provide input on the new welcome signs to be installed at the I-380 entrances to Cedar Rapids
• Participate in some community planning activities to help us build a greater community for the next generation

Learn more about Resident Appreciation Night at

www.Cedar-Rapids.org.