Jazz Concerts at the John Ball Zoo has had the largest crowds ever this summer. I don’t know if it is the great summer weather we have had or just the good music.

Along with the music, this year a pizza oven has been added to the food venue at the concerts. There is a large copper dome that is used to bake a pizza of your choice. Hot dogs and cold drinks are available and this year a wagon selling shaved ice and snow cones is stationed there also.

It’s interesting to people watch and see those with full picnics, take out lunches, newspapers and books being read, knitting, couples dancing, kids stretched out on blankets, people playing cards and others who are strictly there for the enjoyment of the music.

For a great economical evening, these free concerts throughout the Grand Rapids area during the summer are the place to be. Take a chair or a blanket and join in the fun, 6:30 - 8:30 Monday evening.

I recently got an e-mail from a friend of mine about a floral flag but sometimes the e-mails we receive don’t always tell the correct story. I took the time to look this one up and found it to be true, so I’d like to share it with you, being July 4th is just around the corner.

Between the fields where the flag is planted, there are 9+ miles of flower fields that go all the way to the ocean. The flowers are grown by seed companies. It is a beautiful place, according to the information I read on the internet. Just go to “Floral Flag AFB” to read more.

This floral American flag, planted in 2002 and still going, is 740 ft wide and 390 ft high and maintains the proper Flag dimensions as described in Executive Order #10834. The flag covers 6.65 acres and is the first floral flag to be planted with 5-pointed stars comprised of White Larkspur. Each star is 24 ft in diameter; each stripe is 30 ft wide.

Find amazing pieces of art, wonderful crafts and the most creative young people around at our Kids and Teens Craft Sale, at select branches from July 6 to July 26!

Kids and Teens: if you are interested in having a booth at the sale, stop by your library branch for an application. 

Schedule:
Friday, July 6, 1:30 PM – Sand Lake / Nelson Township branch
Thursday, July 12, 2:00 PM – East Grand Rapids branch (held at John Collins Park, 650 Lakeside Dr. SE) 
Monday, July 16, 2:00 PM – Krause Memorial branch