Hello Friends,
I hope that everyone had a wonderful weekend. We are about halfway through the summer, and I hope that everyone is enjoying the warm weather while remembering to stay safe in the hotter temperatures. Be sure that you are staying hydrated, especially if you’re out in the heat.
If you want to stay involved and up to date on what’s happening in Lansing and the district, there are a few different options available to you. You can visit the House website to view our session meetings or any committee meetings you might be interested in. You can also stay updated by visiting my website at Cherry.housedems.com or following me on Facebook @StateRepCherry.
If you have any questions, comments or concerns, I hope you will reach out to me. You can email me at any time at JohnCherry@house.mi.gov or call my office at (517) 373-7515.
Best,
John
Legislative Updates
Budget Update
Currently, the state budget for the Fiscal Year 2020 is still being negotiated. I appreciate receiving feedback on the budget from so many in our community. I will continue doing my best to ensure that your voices are heard and the budget reflects the needs of our great state. If you have any specific questions, opinions or concerns regarding the budget, you can also reach out to my office at (517) 373-7515 or by email at johncherry@house.mi.gov.
Conversations with Cherry
Have questions, comments or ideas to share? Join me for my in-district hours. I’ll give a brief legislative update, then I’ll have time for any questions, comments or concerns you’d like to share. These events are family-friendly and there are resources available to help with many of the different concerns you might have.
Tuesday, July 16, 6-7 p.m.
McCarty District Library
2071 S. Graham Road in Flint
Friday, July 19 2-3 p.m.
Swartz Creek Senior Center
8095 Civic Drive in Swartz Creek
Monday, July 29, 5-6 p.m.
Swartz Creek Library Branch
8095 Civic Drive in Swartz Creek
Helpful Resources for the Folks in the 49th
I was recently able to tour the Genesee County Habitat for Humanity, where I learned more about their Critical Home Repair program. It’s offered to low-income homeowners in need of home repairs, who are not able to afford them. It’s a great program in our community and I encourage anyone that is in need of crucial home repairs but can’t do so because of the financial burden to visit their website to learn more about the program.
Fresh Flint Festival – Fun, Fitness and Healthy Living
Fresh Flint Festival (FFF) is two-days of fun activities designed to support city residents while promoting fitness and healthy living while educating families on ways to mitigate the threat of lead poisoning. Enjoy sports celebrities, local musicians and artists, physical activities and educational information.
Friday, July 26 from 3-6 p.m.:The Fresh Flint Festival Concert and Rising Stars Showcase will include a two-part series; the first half will showcase talent from local artists displaying their skills during the Fresh “Rising Stars” Showcase; the second half features the Fresh Flint Concert dazzled with an array of special performances from Flint’s buzzing music scene. During these activities, attendees will be given an opportunity to participate in a health fair, meet other music lovers and experience Flint on a whole new level.
On Saturday, July 27 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.:During the FFF main event, residents will learn how food affects your mind, body and spirit through food vendors. Physical activities will include a: 3-on-3 basketball tournament for 6th through 12 graders, and a Fresh Flint Pro-Am Basketball Game with professional basketball players in attendance. Flint residents, with identification, will be able to receive free physicals by local physicians and a free combine assessment conducted by Michigan State University Spartan Performance Team. Carnival activities, health care exhibitors, jazz music and art from local musicians and artists will make for a fun-filled day designed to renew commitment and hope.
Located at the Dort Event Federal Credit Union,3501 Lapeer Road in Flint.
Community Events
Tunes at Noon Festival
Experience and enjoy some of Michigan’s most talented musicians in a relaxing, family-friendly Flint city park on the grounds of the University of Michigan-Flint (next to the Flint Farmers’ Market). The usual genre performed is Jazz, but some days offer Blues, R&B or Soul as variations.
Performances will be in the Wilson Park on the University of Michigan-Flint Campus, 549 Wallenberg Street in Flint and at the greater Flint Arts Council, 816 S. Saginaw Street in Flint if there is rainfall. All performances run from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., every weekday for the rest of the month and until August 16.
Crossroads Village and Huckleberry Railroad – Artisan Apprenticeship Make & Take
Meet the village artisans and learn how they create their one-of-a-kind handmade items and try your hands at several different artisan crafts such as basket weaving, broom making and print shop printing.
On Saturday, July 20, and Sunday July 21, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Located at Crossroads Village and Huckleberry Railroad, 6140 Bray Road in Flint.
Our Lady of Lebanon Mid-East Festival
Enjoy this summertime Festival featuring children activities, raffles, live music, belly dancing performances and lessons, authentic Lebanese food, Friday and Saturday night fireworks and more.
On Friday, July 19 and Sunday, July 21
Friday 11:30 a.m. to midnight, Saturday noon to midnight, and Sunday noon to 6 p.m.
Located at Our Lady of Lebanon, 4133 Calkins Road in Flint.
Giant Slip-N-Slide
The Swartz Creek Parks and Recreation Advisory Board will again host a giant slip-and-slide event on the sledding hill at Elms Park. RSVP and registration is required here
On Saturday, July 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Located at Elms Park, 4150 Elms Road in Swartz Creek.
Downtown Throwdown
Stroll the Flint Farmers’ Market and browse through arts and crafts, enjoy live entertainment, carnival games, inflatable fun and more along with food vendors and beverages.
On Wednesday, July 24, from 4. until 7 p.m.
Located at the Flint Farmers’ Market, 300 E. 1st Street in Flint.
38th Annual Flint Jazz Festival
Enjoy four days of great Jazz in downtown Flint beginning with a Jazz Walk Thursday evening with live jazz performances in a variety of downtown Flint’s finest clubs followed by three days of local, regional and international jazz groups playing at Flint’s Riverbank Park.
Thursday, July 25 through Sunday, July 28
- Thursday – 5 to 11 p.m.
- Friday – 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
- Saturday – 1:30 to 8:30 p.m.
- Sunday – 2 to 8:30 p.m.
Located at Flint’s Downtown Riverbank Park, One Riverfront Center West in Flint.
Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad – Family Mystery Weekend
Enjoy this family-friendly weekend created just for mystery lovers. Follow the clues, uncover the secrets and find out what’s afoot in the village.
On Saturday, July 27 and Sunday, July 28 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Located at Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad, 6140 Bray Road in Flint.
Concerts in the Park
Enjoy a live musical performance in the park from Rock of Ages Big Band on July 17, Mustard’s Retreat on July 24, Rodeo Drive on July 31, All Directions on August 7, and Irish Night on August 14.
Every Wednesday until August 14 from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Located at Riverview Park, 230 S Cherry St. in Flushing.
Movies in the Park
Come enjoy a family-friendly movie in the park, every other Saturday. The Incredibles 2 will be playing on July 27 and Ralph Wrecks the Internet will be playing on August 10.
On July 27 and August 10 from 8:30 until 10 p.m.
Located at Riverview Park, 230 S Cherry St. in Flushing.
Crossroad Village and Huckleberry Railroad – Railfans Weekend
Enjoy a weekend dedicated to trains and train lovers. Celebrate the famous Huckleberry Railroad with shop tours, a camp out, demonstrations and more.
On Saturday, August 3 and Sunday, August 4 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Located at Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad, 6140 Bray Road in Flint.
Back to the Bricks “Tune-up Parties”
Flint and Genesee prepares for the Back to the Bricks Cruise and Car Show, with six days of continuous family-fun. Attractions and activities vary by location but include parties with a 50’s, 60’s or 70’s theme, concessions, vendors, live music, dancing in the streets, giveaways and lots and lots of cars.
On Monday, August 5 through Saturday, August 10.
Please see backtothebricks.org for specific locations and start times
Flint Second Friday ARTWALK
Partake in delicious food, tasty beverages, live music and the works of various artists on display throughout a variety of downtown Flint galleries and businesses. Stop by the Greater Flint Arts Council, 816 S. Saginaw St. in Flint for a copy of this month’s walking tour, while supplies last.
On Friday, August 9, from 6 until 9 p.m.
Located at Flint’s Downtown Entertainment District, Saginaw Street in Flint.
Flint’s Drop Fest
The 8th annual mid-Michigan electronic music festival features three stages along with dancing, food, merchandise vendors, a wide array of performing arts, interactive workshops, games and lots of fun.
On Saturday, August 10, from 12 until 10 p.m.
Located at Flint’s Downtown Buckham Alley, 522 Buckham Alley in Flint.
Crossroad Village and Huckleberry Railroad – Pioneer Days
Celebrate Pioneer Days at the village with a stick and hoops game, Pioneer math problems, make and take sugar baby doll, a Pioneer costume contest and more.
On Saturday, August 10, and Sunday, August 11, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Located at Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad, 6140 Bray Road in Flint.
The Annual Back to the Bricks Cruise and Car Show
Beginning Tuesday night with a family-friendly evening. Wednesday through Friday will have rolling cruises on Saginaw Street from downtown Flint to Grand Blanc. Friday will also feature a Motown concert in downtown Flint. Saturday will have the car show in downtown Flint, with vehicles of all ages and descriptions.
On Tuesday, August 13, until Saturday, August 17
From 5 until 9 p.m. on Wednesday through Friday
From 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday
Located at the US-23 Drive-in Theater (Tuesday night only) and in Flint’s Downtown Entertainment District and Genesee County, Saginaw Street in Flint (Wednesday through Saturday).
Genesee County Fair
Enjoy this family event that attracts over 150,000 visitors featuring livestock, carnival rides, an entertainment tent, monster trucks and derby races, a baby animal tent and petting zoo, bingo tent, racing pigs, a hog calling contest, a dog show, cornhole tournaments, tomato baseball, Pure Pro wrestling, an X-Treme chainsaw show and much more.
Monday, August 19 through Sunday, August 25, see gcf.org for specific times and events
Located at E.A. Cummings Event Center, 6130 E. Mt. Morris Road in Mt. Morris
I hope this information has been useful to you. As always, reach out if there is anything further I can do for you.