1) Walk/Bike Lansing meeting TODAY – Tuesday, March 9, 1:00pm @ Foster

If you cannot attend, send your updates to payal@midmeac.org. Here are the agenda items for the meeting:

1. Walk/Bike Task Force Co-Chair – John
2. Persons with Disabilities/Accessibility Info – Patricia
3. SeeClickFix – Andy
4. Sidewalk Snow Removal Ordinance – Jessica
5. Lansing’s Draft Non-Motorized Network Plan – Andy
6. Greening Mid-MI Data/Possible Collaborations – Nancy and Harmony
7. Update on Bicycle Friendly Communities Applications – Lyndon and Tim
8. Update on Promoting Active Communities Award – Janine
9. Update on Smart Commute – PayalNew! Public Meetings on the 5-Year Master Park Plan

2) Weigh in on Parks Master Plan

The Lansing City Council Committee on Public Services will hold two public meetings:

- Thursday, March 18, at Gier Community Center (2400 Hall Street), Room 210, 6-8 p.m.
- Tuesday, March 23, Southside Community Center (5815 Wise Road) Community Room, 6-8 p.m.
 
The purpose of the meetings is to obtain input on the proposed Master Park Plan.  The plan outlines the goals of the Parks Department through the next five years for parkland, facility, and recreation programming development.  It also allows the City of Lansing to become eligible to compete with other communities for matching state and federal recreation development and land acquisition grants. For additional information on the Master Park Plan, contact Murdock Jemerson at 517-483-4277.  For information on the scheduled meetings, please contact Diana Bitely, Administrative Secretary at 517-483-4177.
 
3) ENO Spring Souper
On Saturday, March 13, from 4-7 pm, at Pattengill Middle School, join your neighbors for the 30th Annual Spring Souper – a fundraiser for the Eastside Neighborhood Organization.  Enjoy Soups of all Sorts, Bread, Beverages, and Desserts; Adult/Child Raffles, Silent Auction, and catching up with neighbors.  Tickets are: $5 for adults, $3 for kids under 14 years, and $18 for a Family of 5 or more.  Tickets available at the door.  Call Denise at 484-9109 or Marti at 648-9877 for more information.
 
4) H1N1 Flu Vaccine Clinic at Bingham School – Open to All
Brought to you by Ingham County Health Department, Allen Neighborhood Center, and Bingham Elementary School.
            There will be a FREE H1N1 flu shot clinic at Bingham Elementary on Thursday, March 18 between 1:00 and 7:00 PM.  Nurses from the Ingham Health Department will give the shots, and staff from Allen Neighborhood Center will be there to sign people up for free health coverage for the uninsured (Ingham Health Plan), to answer questions about programs that can help you save money on your energy bills, and provide information about all of our programs.
            People with the highest risk of getting the flu are children and young adults, pregnant women, and adults 25 to 64 who have chronic health problems.  Healthy adults might not get sick from the flu, but they can still carry it to their family members and friends without knowing they have it.  The U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) says that getting a shot is the best way to prevent the H1N1 flu.  Children under the age of nine must receive two flu shots one month apart from one another.  To make it easy for you, Allen Neighborhood Center will be having another free flu shot clinic on Tuesday, April 20 between 1:00 and 8:00 PM at Calvary Christian Fellowship – 1611 E. Kalamazoo St., so that you can bring your child for their second shot then.
            It is important that you talk to your family doctor or a nurse if you have any questions about H1N1.  If you cannot talk to your doctor before the clinic, you can call 2-1-1 (toll free 1-866-561-2500) for general information about H1N1.  Please call Allen Neighborhood Center at 367-2468 if you have any questions about the flu shot clinics or need help finding a family doctor.
Remember, this is still flu season and the H1N1 bug remains a public health concern.
 
5) Michigan Avenue Thinkers and Doers features Bob Tresize
Please join the MSU Center for Community and Economic Development’s Michigan Avenue Thinkers and Doers on Wednesday, March 24 in welcoming Bob Trezise, President and CEO of the Lansing Economic Development Corporation.  He will discuss planned developments along Michigan Avenue and in downtown Lansing.  The event will take place at the CCED office (1615 E. Michigan Ave.).  Refreshments will be served at 5:30 pm, and the presentation will begin at 6:00pm.  Contact Natalie Youakim, Center for Community and Economic Development
Michigan State University, 517.353.9555, msu.cced@gmail.com, youakimn@msu.edu for more information.

6) Interested in joining a CSA?  Check out one of these!
Thornapple CSA has returned with shares available for the 2010 growing season. Our Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) group is hosted at Appleschram Orchards. Everything is grown organically, with lots of heirloom varieties to keep your taste buds happy and your body healthy! Already our hoophouse has sweet spinach being harvested, and seeds for more early greens are in the ground for our second season.

Shareholders buy a share, and can expect a wide variety of fruits, veggies, and herbs. A full share will feed a family of four and costs less than $30 a week. Last year many members with smaller families shared a share, reducing costs and still received a bounty of produce.  Shares may be picked up at Allen Street Farmer’s Market each Wednesday.

More information is available at our website: www.thornapplecsa.com, or by emailing us at thornapplecsa@gmail.com. Join the Farm… your body and the earth will love it!
 
Giving Tree Farm CSA
Giving Tree Farm is located just north of Lansing on Turner Rd (the Old Town area). The farm serves as the site for Community Based Intervention’s vocational training program and also hosts an independent horticultural therapy program year round. For more information about the social programming check out http://www.cbirehab.com/57901/73201.html We are Certified Organic, with eight hoop houses, 7 acres of fields, a cut flower garden, and a herb garden. In addition to our CSA program, we sell our produce at farmer’s markets (including Allen Street Farmers Market), the East Lansing Food Co-op, and restaurants in the Lansing area.

About CSA’s
You can find out more details about this concept at this link: http://www.localharvest.org/csa/ but a CSA is basically a great way for people to directly connect with local farmers in order to get the freshest, healthiest produce possible while supporting local economies and farm ecosystems.

What to Expect
Buying locally grown food means learning to eat seasonally. For example, spring is mostly lettuce, spinach, greens, peas, fava beans, beets, green onions, etc. Summer is all the traditional farm veggies: tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, carrots, celery, beans, summer squash, cucumbers, melons, broccoli, cauliflower, etc (too many to list), and then fall is storage crops like onions, leeks, cabbage, carrots, beets, winter squash, and more lettuce, spinach, and greens. Recipes will be available with your produce each week. It’s a great way to learn to cook with veggies!

Logistics
As the consumer, you pay us $300 up front, or in installments, and you get around $12 (often more than that) of produce each week from mid-May through the end of October. Pick up is available at the farm (day TBA later) or at the Allen St Farmer’s Market on Wednesdays from 2:00pm-6:30pm. My goal is to have 75 members signed up by April 1st. To sign up please visit our CSA website at http://cbisgivingtreefarm.wordpress.com/ or if you don’t have internet access just call the farm at 517-482-8885 and ask for Melissa Hornaday.
 
7) MOBILE FOOD PANTRY
 City of Lansing HUMAN RELATIONS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT & the Mid-Michigan Food Bank ANNOUNCES the distribution of FREE, fresh, non-perishable food items:     
When: Saturday, March 20, 2010, 9am until 11am

Where: St. Casimir Catholic Church, 800 W. Barnes, Lansing, MI 48910

Who can participate?
          • The disadvantaged and vulnerable.
           • Senior citizens on fixed incomes.
          • Families/individuals with limited or low income jobs.
ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST BRING A VALID STATE   IDENTIFICATION CARD OR DRIVER’S LICENSE
     
If you or someone you know must choose between buying food and filling prescriptions, please tell them about this important program.  Participants should bring a box or bag to carry food.  For more information, call the City of Lansing HRCS at (517) 483-4477
 
8 ) Potter Park Zoo hosts world renowned Wolf Expert
On Sunday, March 28 at 2:00pm, Potter Park Zoo will be hosting world renowned wolf expert Dr. Rolf Peterson. He will lead the audience through the wild life of the wolves of Isle Royale National Park and the important predator-prey research taking place there.
Tickets are $15. For more information please visit our website http://www.potterparkzoo.org

9) The Michigan Recycling Coalition’s Master Business Recycler Training Program is coming to Lansing. 

On Tuesday, April 6, 2010 local businesses will have the opportunity to take advantage of this beneficial workshop.  Participants will receive a training manual and other valuable materials.  See attached flyer for details and/or please feel free to contact Lori at the City of Lansing at 517/483-4599 or lmiller@lansingmi.gov.
 
10) Fenner Spring Volunteer Orientation
Message from the Fenner Volunteer Coordination Team
We’d like to invite all returning and new volunteers to our Fenner Spring Volunteer Orientation! Please join us Saturday March 13th from 10 am-noon for meet, greet, and treats and to start the official kick-off for the upcoming schedule of volunteer activities. In addition to taking care of some of the necessary formalities (bring your emergency contact info!), join us for an informal tour of the center and park (weather permitting). We’ll look back with some history of Fenner as well as look forward to the exciting future at the Center. Thanks in advance for your attendance and participation!
PLEASE RSVP (reply including name and email or phone to fennernature@lansingmi.gov or call 517-483-4224).  If you are unable to join us this time, we look forward to seeing you at a future scheduled Volunteer Orientation.

Date: Thurday March 18, 2010

Time: 1:00pm to 7:00pm

Place: Bingham Elementary School map

What: FREE  H1N1 Shots

WHO SHOULD GET THE SHOT?

People with the highest risk of getting the flu are children, young adults, pregnant women, and adults 25 to 64 years old who have chronic health problems. Although healthy adults might not get sick from the flu, they can still carry it to their family members and friends without knowing they have it.

*Children under the age of nine must receive two flu shots, one month apart from one another. To make it easier for you, Allen Neighborhood Center will be having another free flu shot clinic on April 2oth at Calvary Christian Church, 1611 East Kalamazoo Street from 1:00pm to 8:00pm.

More information about Bingham’s Flu Clinic

• • Nurses from the Ingham County Health Department will be distributing the shots.
  • There are two kinds of H1N1 vaccines available
    • Nasal Spray if you are healthy, not pregnant, and between the ages of 2-49
    • Most people 6 months or older can get the shot
  • Staff from the Allen Neighborhood Center will be there to sign people up for free health coverage for the uninsured (Ingham Health Plan) and to answer all answer questions about programs that can help you save money on your energy bills.

Talk to your family doctor if you have any questions about H1N1. Please call Allen Neighborhood Center at 367-2468 and ask for Tom, Steve, or Heather Rae if you have any questions about the flu shot clinic or need help finding a family doctor.

16)                   Parenting for Peace and Justice at Pilgrim Church
17)                   Fenner Spring Volunteer Orientation on March 13

1) First Friday Film Night: GardenHouse screening of King Corn Friday March 5th at 7pm 

The GardenHouse will be screening a food related film on the first Friday of every month. Come down to the park for our second film night on March 5th at 7pm for a free showing of King Corn.

Here is what Amazon.com had to say about the film:
“KING CORN is a fun and crusading journey into the digestive tract of our fast food nation where one ultra-industrial, pesticide-laden, heavily-subsidized commodity dominates the food pyramid from top to bottom corn. Fueled by curiosity and a dash of naivete, college buddies Ian Cheney and Curt Ellis return to their ancestral home of Greene, Iowa to figure out how a modest kernel conquered America.
With the help of some real farmers, oodles of fertilizer and government aide, and some genetically modified seeds, the friends manage to grow one acre of corn. Along the way, they unlock the hilarious absurdities and scary but hidden truths about America s modern food system in this engrossing and eye-opening documentary.
A graceful and frequently humorous film that captures the idiosyncrasies of its characters and never hectors (Salon), KING CORN shows how and why whenever you eat a hamburger or drink a soda, you re really consuming … corn.”
 
2) Dining from Your Back Yard: Intensive gardening techniques, including sequencing and mixing flowers, veggies and herbs for bountiful backyard harvests.
Saturday, March 6, 2-3:30 pm in the Hunter Park GardenHouse
Lynne Martinez, known to many of you as our former state rep, county commissioner, and non-profit director, also owned a small landscaping company at one time.  She has also been a life long, successful, back yard gardener—just the person we needed to inspire gardeners throughout the neighborhood and beyond.
 
Join Lynne for a relaxed and interactive conversation about dining from your back yard, including information on:
            Intensive urban gardening – preparing beds, giving up rows and sequencing planting
            Integrating plantings – mixing flowers, vegetables and herbs for beauty and bountiful harvests
Discover the joy of “finding” dinner in your garden, and identify complementary plantings to satisfy and expand your dining preferences, including recipes. To register, call Allison at 367-2468 or email her at allisonb@allenneighborhoodcenter.org.
 
3) ENO Spring Souper
On Saturday, March 13, from 4-7 pm, at Pattengill Middle School, join your neighbors for the 30th Annual Spring Souper – a fundraiser for the Eastside Neighborhood Organization.  Enjoy Soups of all Sorts, Bread, Beverages, and Desserts; Adult/Child Raffles, Silent Auction, and catching up with neighbors.  Tickets are: $5 for adults, $3 for kids under 14 years, and $18 for a Family of 5 or more.  Tickets available at the door.  Call Denise at 484-9109 or Marti at 648-9877 for more information.
 
4) Michigan Avenue Thinkers and Doers features Bob Tresize
Please join the MSU Center for Community and Economic Development’s Michigan Avenue Thinkers and Doers on Wednesday, March 24 in welcoming Bob Trezise, President and CEO of the Lansing Economic Development Corporation.  He will discuss planned developments along Michigan Avenue and in downtown Lansing.  The event will take place at the CCED office (1615 E. Michigan Ave.).  Refreshments will be served at 5:30 pm, and the presentation will begin at 6:00pm.  Contact Natalie Youakim, Center for Community and Economic Development,  Michigan State University, 517.353.9555, msu.cced@gmail.com, youakimn@msu.edu for more information.

5) Interested in joining a CSA?  Check out Giving Tree Farm
About the Farm
Giving Tree Farm is located just north of Lansing on Turner Rd (the Old Town area). The farm serves as the site for Community Based Intervention’s vocational training program and also hosts an independent horticultural therapy program year round. For more information about the social programming check out http://www.cbirehab.com/57901/73201.html We are Certified Organic, with eight hoop houses, 7 acres of fields, a cut flower garden, and a herb garden. In addition to our CSA program, we sell our produce at farmer’s markets (including Allen Street Farmers Market), the East Lansing Food Co-op, and restaurants in the Lansing area.

About CSA’s
You can find out more details about this concept at this link: http://www.localharvest.org/csa/ but a CSA is basically a great way for people to directly connect with local farmers in order to get the freshest, healthiest produce possible while supporting local economies and farm ecosystems.

What to Expect
Buying locally grown food means learning to eat seasonally. For example, spring is mostly lettuce, spinach, greens, peas, fava beans, beets, green onions, etc. Summer is all the traditional farm veggies: tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, carrots, celery, beans, summer squash, cucumbers, melons, broccoli, cauliflower, etc (too many to list), and then fall is storage crops like onions, leeks, cabbage, carrots, beets, winter squash, and more lettuce, spinach, and greens. Recipes will be available with your produce each week. It’s a great way to learn to cook with veggies!

Logistics
As the consumer, you pay us $300 up front, or in installments, and you get around $12 (often more than that) of produce each week from mid-May through the end of October. Pick up is available at the farm (day TBA later) or at the Allen St Farmer’s Market on Wednesdays from 2:00pm-6:30pm. My goal is to have 75 members signed up by April 1st. To sign up please visit our CSA website at http://cbisgivingtreefarm.wordpress.com/ or if you don’t have internet access just call the farm at 517-482-8885 and ask for Melissa Hornaday.
 
6) Do Kids Really Count in Michigan? 
The League of Women Voters of the Lansing Are (LWVLA),  MSU Women’s Resource Center and the Women’s Center of Greater Lansing, Inc. are sponsoring a program, Do Kids Really Count in Michigan?  League for Human Services Project Director for the Kids Count in Michigan, Jane Zehnder-Merrell will focus on the impact of the state’s economic and social problems on Michigan’s children.  She will also discuss her work organizing Kids Count. If you have any questions, please contact Kathy Esselman at 351-0417.  This program is scheduled for Wednesday, March 10, 2010 from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. at the East Lansing Public Library Meeting Room at 950 Abbot Road in East Lansing.  This event is free and open to the public.

7) Garden Leader Training Series, offered by the Garden Project
Thursdays, March 4, 11, 18, 25, 6-8:30 p.m., Gier Community Center (2400 Hall Street)
Anyone starting a new community garden or intending to have a leadership role at a community garden should plan on attending all four classes in this free series. To register, contact The Garden Project at (517) 887-4660 or gardenproject@ingham.org.
 
8 ) FREE Workshops for the American Indian community
Personal Action Towards Health (Path) for Native Americans
 
Starting Wednesday, March 3, 2010 from 1:15p.m.-3:45p.m., the Native American Outreach Program at the Ingham County Health Department will be offering the 6 week Personal Action Towards Health (PATH) classes. The class will be every Wednesday for 6 weeks from 1:15p.m.-3:45p.m. in the Atrium Conference Room.

The class is specifically for the American Indian community in Ingham, Eaton and Clinton County. The class will discuss how to better manage your on going health condition (chronic health condition) such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, COPD and many others. The class is also for individuals who may NOT have a chronic health condition but are caring or know someone with an on going health condition.  If you attend the classes you will get a free gift card and other gifts, PLUS a snack! There is still space available if you are interested or know someone who may be interested.

The Ingham County Health Department is located at 5303 S. Cedar St., Lansing, MI 48910. We are the block of brown brick buildings and are located in building #3. Please look for bright pink signs directing you where to go OR ask the Security Guard.

The class will be taught by Ashley Harding and Ana Tristan. If you would like to enroll, please call Ashley at 517.272.4127 If you have any questions, please feel free to contact her.  From Ashley: “I hope many will be in attendance as we move forward in developing vital programming for our American Indian community. Ahe’hee and Miigwetch.”

9) MidMEAC’s First Friday lunch focuses on Urbandale Farm
Plan to attend MidMEAC’s First Friday lunch on March 5th at Central United Methodist Church, 215 N Capitol Ave, from noon to 1.  A light buffet lunch (suggested donation $5) will be available; all are welcome; no need to rsvp.  Laura Delind and Linda Anderson will describe their work to date to develop an urban farm in the floodplain on Lansing’s  Eastside:  Why an urban farm?  Why this neighborhood?  What’s it going to take to create a farm?  Who’s involved?  What will be done with the food that’s grown?  What else might happen with vacant lots in this neighborhood besides a farm?   Don’t miss it!
 
10) FUNDRAISER to raise money for Ron Abraham, Eastside resident for over 60 years, professional engraver for over 30 years, and all-around good guy. 

Ron, stricken with polio at age 2, is been wheelchair bound and the community is raising funds to provide a first floor bathroom.  The fundraiser is on March 15 at Auggies Pub and Grill on the corner of Miller and Washington.  

11) MOBILE FOOD PANTRY
 City of Lansing HUMAN RELATIONS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT & the Mid-Michigan Food Bank ANNOUNCES the distribution of FREE, fresh, non-perishable food items:     
When: Saturday, March 20, 2010, 9am until 11am

Where: St. Casimir Catholic Church, 800 W. Barnes, Lansing, MI 48910

Who can participate?
          • The disadvantaged and vulnerable.
           • Senior citizens on fixed incomes.
          • Families/individuals with limited or low income jobs.
ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST BRING A VALID STATE   IDENTIFICATION CARD OR DRIVER’S LICENSE
     
If you or someone you know must choose between buying food and filling prescriptions, please tell them about this important program.  Participants should bring a box or bag to carry food.  For more information, call the City of Lansing HRCS at (517) 483-4477
 
12) Coins for Haiti
Message from Freya Rivers, Principal of Bingham School
Just an update on the Coins for Haiti project.  As a school district we raised $13,508.40.  Our goal was $10,000 and we exceeded it.  The last of the money will be sent to Doctors without Borders on Friday.  Bingham raised $1284.70 but Eastern was the top with $1700.   I’m so proud of all our schools and students to reach out and help those in need.  Thank you for your continued support.

13) Potter Park Zoo hosts world renowned Wolf Expert
On Sunday, March 28 at 2:00pm, Potter Park Zoo will be hosting world renowned wolf expert Dr. Rolf Peterson. He will lead the audience through the wild life of the wolves of Isle Royale National Park and the important predator-prey research taking place there.
Tickets are $15. For more information please visit our website http://www.potterparkzoo.org

14) The Michigan Recycling Coalition’s Master Business Recycler Training Program is coming to Lansing. 

On Tuesday, April 6, 2010 local businesses will have the opportunity to take advantage of this beneficial workshop.  Participants will receive a training manual and other valuable materials.  See attached flyer for details and/or please feel free to contact Lori at the City of Lansing at 517/483-4599 or lmiller@lansingmi.gov.
 
15) RAD Training- Rape Aggression Defense Training for Women
Location: Lansing Police Department, North Pct, 740 May St., Lansing, MI.
FOR WOMEN ONLY
Dates/Times: April 20, 27 and May 4, 2010 6:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
ALL SESSIONS ARE REQUIRED!!!!
Cost: FREE- With commitment to attend all three nights for program completion
Attire: Clothing comfortable for exercise
TO REGISTER: Contact Michelle Reddish at mreddish@lansingmi.gov or call (517)483-6040
 
16) Parenting for Peace and Justice 
Pilgrim Congregational UCC is hosting a free 6 week workshop entitled “Parenting for Peace and Justice”.  The workshop will focus on inspiring peace with your family in the home and in the world. Free childcare is provided. The series begins Saturday April 10th and runs 6 consecutive Saturdays through May 15th. The workshop will meet at Pilgrim UCC at 125 South Pennsylvania Avenue from 6 pm to 8 pm. Please preregister by emailing or calling Shantana Goerge: goergesh@msu.edu or 517-676-1671.

17) Fenner Spring Volunteer Orientation
Message from the Fenner Volunteer Coordination Team
We’d like to invite all returning and new volunteers to our Fenner Spring Volunteer Orientation! Please join us Saturday March 13th from 10 am-noon for meet, greet, and treats and to start the official kick-off for the upcoming schedule of volunteer activities. In addition to taking care of some of the necessary formalities (bring your emergency contact info!), join us for an informal tour of the center and park (weather permitting). We’ll look back with some history of Fenner as well as look forward to the exciting future at the Center. Thanks in advance for your attendance and participation!
PLEASE RSVP (reply including name and email or phone to fennernature@lansingmi.gov or call 517-483-4224).  If you are unable to join us this time, we look forward to seeing you at a future scheduled Volunteer Orientation.

12)             Everybody Reads Seeks Volunteers
13)             Chicken Out with MSU Extension on March 5

1) Master Planning – Green Infrastructure
Please note that the last public meeting of Phase II of the City’s Master Plan, Design Lansing, takes place this coming Thursday, March 4th at Foster Community Center from 6:30 to 8:30 PM.  This meeting will focus on Green Infrastructure.  Please join us if you can.  (We’ll have cookies!!)

2) Daryl Zuk, long time Eastside Code Compliance Officer has died.  Services will be held at the Estes-Leadley at 2121 Cedar Street, Holt.  Visitation will be on Wednesday 3/3/2010 from 2: 00 to 4:00 pm and 6:00 to 9:00 pm.  Funeral services will be on Thursday 3/04/2010 at 2:00 pm. There will be a luncheon held at the South Precinct gym following the service.  Mr. Zuk was a familiar face at countless neighborhood meetings over the past several years, and all of us have benefited from his dedication to safe and healthy housing on the Eastside.

3) FREE Workshops for the American Indian community
Personal Action Towards Health (Path) for Native Americans
 
Starting Wednesday, March 3, 2010 from 1:15p.m.-3:45p.m., the Native American Outreach Program at the Ingham County Health Department will be offering the 6 week Personal Action Towards Health (PATH) classes. The class will be every Wednesday for 6 weeks from 1:15p.m.-3:45p.m. in the Atrium Conference Room.

The class is specifically for the American Indian community in Ingham, Eaton and Clinton County. The class will discuss how to better manage your on going health condition (chronic health condition) such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure, COPD and many others. The class is also for individuals who may NOT have a chronic health condition but are caring or know someone with an on going health condition.  If you attend the classes you will get a free gift card and other gifts, PLUS a snack! There is still space available if you are interested or know someone who may be interested.

The Ingham County Health Department is located at 5303 S. Cedar St., Lansing, MI 48910. We are the block of brown brick buildings and are located in building #3. Please look for bright pink signs directing you where to go OR ask the Security Guard.

The class will be taught by Ashley Harding and Ana Tristan. If you would like to enroll, please call Ashley at 517.272.4127 If you have any questions, please feel free to contact her.  From Ashley: “I hope many will be in attendance as we move forward in developing vital programming for our American Indian community. Ahe’hee and Miigwetch.”

4) First Friday Film Night: GardenHouse screening of King Corn Friday March 5th at 7pm 
The GardenHouse will be screening a food related film on the first Friday of every month. Come down to the park for our second film night on March 5th at 7pm for a free showing of King Corn. Here is what Amazon.com had to say about the film:
“KING CORN is a fun and crusading journey into the digestive tract of our fast food nation where one ultra-industrial, pesticide-laden, heavily-subsidized commodity dominates the food pyramid from top to bottom corn. Fueled by curiosity and a dash of naivete, college buddies Ian Cheney and Curt Ellis return to their ancestral home of Greene, Iowa to figure out how a modest kernel conquered America.
With the help of some real farmers, oodles of fertilizer and government aide, and some genetically modified seeds, the friends manage to grow one acre of corn. Along the way, they unlock the hilarious absurdities and scary but hidden truths about America s modern food system in this engrossing and eye-opening documentary.
A graceful and frequently humorous film that captures the idiosyncrasies of its characters and never hectors (Salon), KING CORN shows how and why whenever you eat a hamburger or drink a soda, you re really consuming … corn.”

5) MidMEAC’s First Friday lunch focuses on Urbandale Farm
Plan to attend MidMEAC’s First Friday lunch on March 5th at Central United Methodist Church, 215 N Capitol Ave, from noon to 1.  A light buffet lunch (suggested donation $5) will be available; all are welcome; no need to rsvp.  Laura Delind and Linda Anderson will describe their work to date to develop an urban farm in the floodplain on Lansing’s  Eastside:  Why an urban farm?  Why this neighborhood?  What’s it going to take to create a farm?  Who’s involved?  What will be done with the food that’s grown?  What else might happen with vacant lots in this neighborhood besides a farm?   Don’t miss it!
 
6) Dining from Your Back Yard: Intensive gardening techniques, including sequencing and mixing flowers, veggies and herbs for bountiful backyard harvests.
Saturday, March 6, 2-3:30 pm in the Hunter Park GardenHouse
Lynne Martinez, known to many of you as our former state rep, county commissioner, and non-profit director, also owned a small landscaping company at one time.  She has also been a life long, successful, back yard gardener—just the person we needed to inspire gardeners throughout the neighborhood and beyond.
 
Join Lynne for a relaxed and interactive conversation about dining from your back yard, including information on:
            Intensive urban gardening – preparing beds, giving up rows and sequencing planting
            Integrating plantings – mixing flowers, vegetables and herbs for beauty and bountiful harvests
Discover the joy of “finding” dinner in your garden, and identify complementary plantings to satisfy and expand your dining preferences, including recipes. To register, call Allison at 367-2468 or email her at allisonb@allenneighborhoodcenter.org.
 
7) MOBILE FOOD PANTRY
 City of Lansing HUMAN RELATIONS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT & the Mid-Michigan Food Bank ANNOUNCES the distribution of FREE, fresh, non-perishable food items:     

When: Saturday, March 20, 2010, 9am until 11am

Where: St. Casimir Catholic Church, 800 W. Barnes, Lansing, MI 48910

Who can participate?
          • The disadvantaged and vulnerable.
           • Senior citizens on fixed incomes.
          • Families/individuals with limited or low income jobs.

ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST BRING A VALID STATE IDENTIFICATION CARD OR DRIVER’S LICENSE
     
If you or someone you know must choose between buying food and filling prescriptions, please tell them about this important program.  Participants should bring a box or bag to carry food.  For more information, call the City of Lansing HRCS at (517) 483-4477
 
8 ) THE OLD TOWN STOMP: Music, Food & Festivities!
Lansing, MI (February 23, 2010) – The Old Town Business and Art Development Association is excited to host its second annual “Old Town Stomp” fundraising and kick-off event of the year on Saturday, March 20, 6-11:30 pm at Perspective2 in Old Town (319 E. Grand River Ave.). The proceeds from this spectacular evening will help to sponsor over 150 musicians scheduled to perform at this year’s Lansing JazzFest and Old Town BluesFest.

On the front side, as guests begin to arrive at 6 pm, organissimo will be filling the air with lively jazz stylings, setting the tone for an evening of extraordinary music and celebratory spirit. organissimo has generously donated 100 free CDs to the event.

Other festivities include the 2*5*1 Community Turn Around awards, highlighting some extraordinary festival partners, and special festival announcements. Ethnic tapas will be just as lively as the music, making an excellent pairing for the evening. A cash bar, dancing and vintage festival memorabilia will add to the fun of the evening as well.

For the second half of this exciting night out on the town, Greg Nagy will kick it up a notch and fill the dance floor as the blues are celebrated on the back side of the night! Nagy has also generously
donated 100 free CDs to the event!

The linen-clad, candle-lit ambiance of Perspective2 offers limited availability. Tickets are $40 in advance and $50 at the door. To inquire about ticket availability and for complete event details
please visit the event website at http://event.pingg.com/TheOldTownStomp or e-mail
sharen.lange@oldtownarts.org for more information.

Old Town Business and Art Development Association/Michigan Institute of Contemporary Art is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization committed to quality arts programming, the preservation of Old Town’s historic buildings, and community development efforts. For more information, further details and updates, visit www.oldtownarts.org or call 517-371-4600.

9) Potter Park Zoo hosts world renowned Wolf Expert
On Sunday, March 28 at 2:00pm, Potter Park Zoo will be hosting world renowned wolf expert Dr. Rolf Peterson. He will lead the audience through the wild life of the wolves of Isle Royale National Park and the important predator-prey research taking place there.
Tickets are $15. For more information please visit our website http://www.potterparkzoo.org

10) Parenting for Peace and Justice 
Pilgrim Congregational UCC is hosting a free 6 week workshop entitled “Parenting for Peace and Justice”.  The workshop will focus on inspiring peace with your family in the home and in the world. Free childcare is provided. The series begins Saturday April 10th and runs 6 consecutive Saturdays through May 15th. The workshop will meet at Pilgrim UCC at 125 South Pennsylvania Avenue from 6 pm to 8 pm. Please preregister by emailing or calling Shantana Goerge: goergesh@msu.edu or 517-676-1671.

11) Fenner Spring Volunteer Orientation
Message from the Fenner Volunteer Coordination Team
We’d like to invite all returning and new volunteers to our Fenner Spring Volunteer Orientation! Please join us Saturday March 13th from 10 am-noon for meet, greet, and treats and to start the official kick-off for the upcoming schedule of volunteer activities. In addition to taking care of some of the necessary formalities (bring your emergency contact info!), join us for an informal tour of the center and park (weather permitting). We’ll look back with some history of Fenner as well as look forward to the exciting future at the Center. Thanks in advance for your attendance and participation!
PLEASE RSVP (reply including name and email or phone to fennernature@lansingmi.gov or call 517-483-4224).  If you are unable to join us this time, we look forward to seeing you at a future scheduled Volunteer Orientation.

12) Everybody Reads Seeks Volunteers
Everybody Reads Books and Stuff on Michigan Ave. is transitioning over to a co-op bookstore. As we pursue that goal, we are moving towards more volunteer staff. If you are interested in volunteering at Everybody Reads, please call the store, and leave your name, number or e-mail address. Jackie Dillinger is the Volunteer Coordinator, she will contact you. The store number is 346-9900.  Thank-you for your consideration.
 
13) Chicken Out With MSU Extension!
For happy chickens, happy neighbors, and a better breakfast!  Learn how to do it right!
 
March 5, 2010, 6:00- 9 :00 p.m.,
Location: Safari Room of the Potter Park Zoo, 1301 South Pennsylvania Avenue Lansing
To Register, call 517-676-7207/ Fax: 517-676-7288, or E-mail: cvernon@ingham.org
 
What’s All the Flap About??
Wouldn’t it be great to have a few chickens in the back yard? Fresh eggs, bug control, rich compost for the garden, and a chance for the kids to see where food comes from! So you go to the local farm store and buy some chicks. . . .
Now What??
Just like everything else, there is a lot more to raising chickens than meets the eye. • What should (or can) I feed them at different stages of life? • How do I keep them healthy and productive? • What should I expect from my chickens? • What about raccoons, cats, weasels, coyotes, skunks, opossums….how do I keep my chickens safe? • How do I manage the manure in a safe way that will not bother neighbors or harm the environment? • Can I get salmonella poisoning from my chickens, their manure, or the eggs? How can I reduce the risk? • What kind of equipment do I need to do this right?
Is it legal to do this in Lansing????
In October of 2009 the Ingham County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution allowing homeowners to the keep “up to five hens on one or two-family residential properties, under certain conditions, unless otherwise prohibited or regulated by local ordinances or private land use restrictions.

For more details about this resolution, visit: http://www.ingham.org/bc/BC/INDEX/2009/09-345.htm

2)   New     Mid-MEAC’s First Friday Lunch on Urbandale Farm, March 5

3)                Chicken Out with MSU Extension on March 5

4)                Build Your Own Rain Barrel on Mar. 6

5)                Dining from Your Back Yard – Mar 6 – Don’t miss this one!

6)   New     Fenner Spring Volunteer Orientation on March 13

7)   New     Mobile Food Pantry on March 20

8 )   New    Old Town Stomp on March 20

9)   New     Potter Park Zoo hosts renowned Wolf Expert on March 28

10)   New   Parenting for Peace and Justice at Pilgrim Church – series begins Saturday April 10th

11)              Energy Efficiency for Old Windows Workshop- This is a business for someone! April 9-11th, 2010* and April 16-18th, 2010*

12)              Everybody Reads Seeks Volunteers

1) Honey, Let’s Talk: Married and Loving It!

…is a workshop for married couples at the Women’s Center of Greater Lansing. This six week workshop includes setting healthy boundaries, love languages, communication rules, intimacy, etc. There is a one time fee of $25. The group runs Wednesdays 5:30-7:00 from March 3rd to April 7th. Pre-registration is required by calling the Center at 517.372.9163. 

2) MidMEAC’s First Friday lunch focuses on Urbandale Farm
Plan to attend MidMEAC’s First Friday lunch on March 5th at Central United Methodist Church, 215 N Capitol Ave, from noon to 1.  A light buffet lunch (suggested donation $5) will be available; all are welcome; no need to rsvp.  Laura Delind and Linda Anderson will describe their work to date to develop an urban farm in the floodplain on Lansing’s  Eastside:  Why an urban farm?  Why this neighborhood?  What’s it going to take to create a farm?  Who’s involved?  What will be done with the food that’s grown?  What else might happen with vacant lots in this neighborhood besides a farm?   Don’t miss it!
 
3) Chicken Out With MSU Extension!
For happy chickens, happy neighbors, and a better breakfast!  Learn how to do it right!
 
March 5, 2010, 6:00- 9 :00 p.m.,
Location: Safari Room of the Potter Park Zoo, 1301 South Pennsylvania Avenue Lansing
To Register, call 517-676-7207/ Fax: 517-676-7288, or E-mail: cvernon@ingham.org
 
What’s All the Flap About??
Wouldn’t it be great to have a few chickens in the back yard? Fresh eggs, bug control, rich compost for the garden, and a chance for the kids to see where food comes from! So you go to the local farm store and buy some chicks. . . .
Now What??
Just like everything else, there is a lot more to raising chickens than meets the eye. • What should (or can) I feed them at different stages of life? • How do I keep them healthy and productive? • What should I expect from my chickens? • What about raccoons, cats, weasels, coyotes, skunks, opossums….how do I keep my chickens safe? • How do I manage the manure in a safe way that will not bother neighbors or harm the environment? • Can I get salmonella poisoning from my chickens, their manure, or the eggs? How can I reduce the risk? • What kind of equipment do I need to do this right? Is it legal to do this in Lansing????

In October of 2009 the Ingham County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution allowing homeowners to the keep “up to five hens on one or two-family residential properties, under certain conditions, unless otherwise prohibited or regulated by local ordinances or private land use restrictions. For more details about this resolution, visit: http://www.ingham.org/bc/BC/INDEX/2009/09-345.htm

4)  Build Your Own Rain Barrel Workshop
Sat., March 6, MSU Plant and Soil Science Greenhouse; register by Friday, Feb. 26th.
The cost per barrel is $40. This price includes all the parts necessary for the basic construction of your barrel during the workshop and a copy of the instructions. Refreshments will be provided. To reserve your space in the workshop, send payment to:

Pat Merry, MGA CAC Treasurer
1739 Brookshire Court
Williamston, MI. 48895

Make checks payable to MGA CAC. Be sure to include your name, email, phone, and time preference (9-10 a.m., 10-11 a.m., or 11 a.m. – noon). Confirmation of your registration with assigned time slot and a copy of the instructions will be emailed to you prior to the workshop. Please identify your 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice for time slot assignment. For more information, email Carey Loveland at loveland@msu.edu.

5) Dining from Your Back Yard: Intensive gardening techniques, including sequencing and mixing flowers, veggies and herbs for bountiful backyard harvests.

Saturday, March 6, 2-3:30 pm in the Hunter Park GardenHouse
Lynne Martinez, known to many of you as our former state rep, county commissioner, and non-profit director, also owned a small landscaping company at one time.  She has also been a life long, successful, back yard gardener—just the person we needed to inspire gardeners throughout the neighborhood and beyond.
 
Join Lynne for a relaxed and interactive conversation about dining from your back yard, including information on:
     Intensive urban gardening – preparing beds, giving up rows and sequencing planting
     Integrating plantings – mixing flowers, vegetables and herbs for beauty and bountiful harvests

Discover the joy of “finding” dinner in your garden, and identify complementary plantings to satisfy and expand your dining preferences, including recipes. To register, call Allison at 367-2468 or email her at allisonb@allenneighborhoodcenter.org. 
 
6) Fenner Spring Volunteer Orientation
Message from the Fenner Volunteer Coordination Team

We’d like to invite all returning and new volunteers to our Fenner Spring Volunteer Orientation! Please join us Saturday March 13th from 10 am-noon for meet, greet, and treats and to start the official kick-off for the upcoming schedule of volunteer activities. In addition to taking care of some of the necessary formalities (bring your emergency contact info!), join us for an informal tour of the center and park (weather permitting). We’ll look back with some history of Fenner as well as look forward to the exciting future at the Center. Thanks in advance for your attendance and participation!

PLEASE RSVP (reply including name and email or phone to fennernature@lansingmi.gov or call 517-483-4224).  If you are unable to join us this time, we look forward to seeing you at a future scheduled Volunteer Orientation.

7) MOBILE FOOD PANTRY
City of Lansing HUMAN RELATIONS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT & the Mid-Michigan Food Bank ANNOUNCES the distribution of FREE, fresh, non-perishable food items:     

When: Saturday, March 20, 2010, 9am until 11am

Where: St. Casimir Catholic Church, 800 W. Barnes, ansing, MI 48910

Who can participate?
          • The disadvantaged and vulnerable.
           • Senior citizens on fixed incomes.
          • Families/individuals with limited or low income jobs.

ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST BRING A VALID STATE   IDENTIFICATION CARD OR DRIVER’S LICENSE
     
If you or someone you know must choose between buying food and filling prescriptions, please tell them about this important program.  Participants should bring a box or bag to carry food.  For more information, call the City of Lansing HRCS at (517) 483-4477 
 
8 ) THE OLD TOWN STOMP: Music, Food & Festivities!
The Old Town Business and Art Development Association is excited to host its second annual “Old Town Stomp” fundraising and kick-off event of the year on Saturday, March 20, 6-11:30 pm at Perspective2 in Old Town (319 E. Grand River Ave.). The proceeds from this spectacular evening will help to sponsor over 150 musicians scheduled to perform at this year’s Lansing JazzFest and Old Town BluesFest.

On the front side, as guests begin to arrive at 6 pm, organissimo will be filling the air with lively jazz stylings, setting the tone for an evening of extraordinary music and celebratory spirit. organissimo has generously donated 100 free CDs to the event.

Other festivities include the 2*5*1 Community Turn Around awards, highlighting some extraordinary festival partners, and special festival announcements. Ethnic tapas will be just as lively as the music, making an excellent pairing for the evening. A cash bar, dancing and vintage festival memorabilia will add to the fun of the evening as well.

For the second half of this exciting night out on the town, Greg Nagy will kick it up a notch and fill the dance floor as the blues are celebrated on the back side of the night! Nagy has also generously donated 100 free CDs to the event!

The linen-clad, candle-lit ambiance of Perspective2 offers limited availability. Tickets are $40 in advance and $50 at the door. To inquire about ticket availability and for complete event details please visit the event website at http://event.pingg.com/TheOldTownStomp or e-mail sharen.lange@oldtownarts.org for more information.

Old Town Business and Art Development Association/Michigan Institute of Contemporary Art is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization committed to quality arts programming, the preservation of Old Town’s historic buildings, and community development efforts. For more information, further details and updates, visit www.oldtownarts.org or call 517-371-4600.

9) Potter Park Zoo hosts world renowned Wolf Expert
On Sunday, March 28 at 2:00pm, Potter Park Zoo will be hosting world renowned wolf expert Dr. Rolf Peterson. He will lead the audience through the wild life of the wolves of Isle Royale National Park and the important predator-prey research taking place there.

Tickets are $15. For more information please visit our website http://www.potterparkzoo.org

10) Parenting for Peace and Justice 
Pilgrim Congregational UCC is hosting a free 6 week workshop entitled “Parenting for Peace and Justice”.  The workshop will focus on inspiring peace with your family in the home and in the world. Free childcare is provided. The series begins Saturday April 10th and runs 6 consecutive Saturdays through May 15th. The workshop will meet at Pilgrim UCC at 125 South Pennsylvania Avenue from 6 pm to 8 pm. Please preregister by emailing or calling Shantana Goerge: goergesh@msu.edu or 517-676-1671.

11) Energy Efficiency for Old Wood Windows 
FREE Window Rehabilitation Workshop for Homeowners  Conserve Energy and also Preserve Resources April 9-11th, 2010* and April 16-18th, 2010* – Kalamazoo, Michigan
This great opportunity to learn how to rehab our wonderful old windows submitted/recommended by Eastside Housing Advocate and Restorationist, Dave Muylle. 
 
In Michigan, and throughout the United States, 20% of the housing was built before 1950, and a significant part of that housing stock has traditional wooden double hung windows. This may include your house or a family house or a rental property. Repairing wooden windows is a necessary skill for old house owners. With rehabilitation and a working storm window, old windows can be as energy efficient as new windows. 
 
In an intensive three day workshop, students will learn the fundamentals of repair and rehabilitation of traditional wooden double hung windows. Under the guidance of trained preservation craftspeople, trainees will work with traditional building materials and rehabilitate one complete window.
 
To request an application, call Sharon Ferraro at 269-337-8804 or email her at ferraros@kalamazoocity.org.  The application must be received by: Friday, March 5th, 2010 at 5:00 pm – you will be notified that you have been accepted in the class by Friday, March 12th, 2010.  

12) Everybody Reads Seeks Volunteers
Everybody Reads Books and Stuff on Michigan Ave. is transitioning over to a co-op bookstore. As we pursue that goal, we are moving towards more volunteer staff. If you are interested in volunteering at Everybody Reads, please call the store, and leave your name, number or e-mail address. Jackie Dillinger is the Volunteer Coordinator, she will contact you. The store number is 346-9900.  Thank-you for your consideration.

Gardeners of all experience levels are encouraged to come down to the Hunter Park Community GardenHouse for a full menu of garden workshop options. Join our industry experts and meet the neighbors at any one of the following workshops in the coming months; unless indicated otherwise, these workshops are free to the public (donations appreciated!). Here’s what is coming up in the next few weeks:

Seed Starting, Saturday February 27th, 2-3:30pm

Take control over what you grow this year! Starting your seeds inside allows you to grow more varieties of the crops you love, even the kinds that might take longer than the Michigan soil and climate would otherwise allow. You don’t have to gamble that your favorite pepper and heirloom tomato transplants will be available when you need them this year—start them yourself! Join Linda Anderon Saturday, February 27^th from 2-3:30pm at the GardenHouse to learn about seed starting techniques and timing.

Dining From your Backyard: Saturday, March 6th, 2-3:30pm

Lynne Martinez will join us to lead a relaxed and interactive conversation about dining from your back yard, including information on:

*Intensive urban gardening – preparing beds, giving up rows and sequencing planting

*Integrating plantings – mixing flowers, vegetables and herbs for beauty and bountiful harvests

*The joy of “finding” dinner in your garden complementary plantings to satisfy and expand your dining preferences, including recipes

This workshop is also free to the public. Please bring your neighbors down to enjoy an afternoon of garden enlightenment. See you in the GardenHouse!

2)   Urban Gardener Certification Course begins Feb. 24

3)   Moms: Earn Money in public health focus group

4)   Seed Starting Workshop on Feb. 27

5)   Youth Tennis Registration from Feb. 26- March 1

6 )  Chicken Out with MSU Extension on March 5

7)   Build Your Own Rain Barrel on Mar. 6

8 )   At Everybody Reads in March – HerStories

9)   Help for Children with Asthma

10)   My Environment – Check out this cool website!

11)   Energy Efficiency for Old Windows Workshop- This is a job for someone!

1)   Lansing Master Planning: Land Use
Tuesday, February 23, 6:30-8:30 pm, Southside Community Center (5825 Wise Rd)
We invite you to discuss the planning issues that affect the quality of life in your neighborhood. These discussions are designed for the public to meet and talk with City staff and professionals. This session will focus on the topic of Land Use, giving citizens the opportunity to take an in-depth look at how the issue relates to the city as a whole. For more information email restell@lansingmi.gov.
 
2) Urban Gardener Certification Course
Back by popular demand: How to grow food in the shady lots and clay soil of Lansing’s Eastside!
 
When:   Wednesdays, Feb. 24 – March 31, 6:30pm – 9:00pm
Where:   Hunter Park GardenHouse
Description:   Open enrollment has begun for the Spring 2010 Urban Gardener Certificate Program. The class is comprised of six consecutive sessions, held Wednesdays from 6:30-9pm Feb. 24 through Mar. 31. It is an introduction to basic yard and greenhouse gardening skills appropriate for high density, small lot neighborhoods like those on Lansing’s Eastside.

More information is available at Allen Neighborhood Center, or electronically by request from allisonb@allenneighborhoodcenter.org.  Request and submit an application before this popular class is full!

3) Moms: Earn Money in Public Health Focus Group Feb. 22, 23, & 25, Evenings on MSU campus
Are you a mom with a daughter under 12 years old?  MSU researchers want your opinions, and they’re willing to pay $40 for 90 minutes of your time!  Choose which evening works for you: February 22, 23, or 25.  During each 90-minute focus group, participants will view several public health messages.  Researchers simply want to know what you think about them.  If interested, please call Evan at 517-355-5162 or email perrau14@msu.edu.  
 
4) Seed Starting Workshop at Hunter Park GardenHouse
One in a series of workshops offered over the next few months to prepare you for a successful gardening season!
When:             Sat, February 27, 2:00pm – 3:30pm
Where:           Hunter Park GardenHouse
Description:   Get a jump start on the growing season! Linda Anderson will facilitate a hands-on workshop in which participants will learn seed starting techniques for maximum productivity in the garden. 

For further information or to register, call Allison at 367-2468 or email her at allisonb@allenneighborhoodcenter.org.

5) Youth Tennis Registration February 26 – March 1
Be a part of the largest youth tennis registration effort across America February 26th – March 1st!  Choose one of the dates below and join us as we celebrate tennis through fun games, activities, snacks, and prizes for all beginners and intermediate players ages 8-18.  Take advantage of early registraton for the Todd Martin Development Fund NJTL and Local Excellence spring and summer tennis programs provided in cooperation with Lansing Parks and Recreation.  The events are free, no registration is necessary, and equipment is provided.  USTA will be at the Gier Community Center site along with the Court One site on Friday, February 26 to shoot footage to be used on ESPN Monday night during the Tennis Night In America professional women’s match. The attached waiver needs to be signed in order to use footage of minors. 

Please call 517-483-4021 for more information.

Event Locations:
2/26  4-5:30 pm Gier Community Center, 2400 Hall Street, Lansing, MI 48906
2/26  6-7:30 pm Court One Athletic Club, 1609 Lake Lansing Road, Lansing, MI 48906
2/27  1:30-3 pm Foster Community Center, 200 North Foster, Lansing, MI 48912
2/28  1-2:30 pm Southside Community Center, 5815 Wise Road, Lansing, MI 48911
3/1    6-7:30 pm Letts Communmity Center, 1220 West Kalamazoo Street, Lansing, MI 48915

6) Chicken Out With MSU Extension!
For happy chickens, happy neighbors, and a better breakfast!  Learn how to do it right!
 
March 5, 2010, 6:00- 9 :00 p.m.,
Location: Safari Room of the Potter Park Zoo, 1301 South Pennsylvania Avenue Lansing
To Register, call 517-676-7207/ Fax: 517-676-7288, or E-mail: cvernon@ingham.org
 
What’s All the Flap About??
Wouldn’t it be great to have a few chickens in the back yard? Fresh eggs, bug control, rich compost for the garden, and a chance for the kids to see where food comes from! So you go to the local farm store and buy some chicks. . . .
Now What??
Just like everything else, there is a lot more to raising chickens than meets the eye. • What should (or can) I feed them at different stages of life? • How do I keep them healthy and productive? • What should I expect from my chickens? • What about raccoons, cats, weasels, coyotes, skunks, opossums….how do I keep my chickens safe? • How do I manage the manure in a safe way that will not bother neighbors or harm the environment? • Can I get salmonella poisoning from my chickens, their manure, or the eggs? How can I reduce the risk? • What kind of equipment do I need to do this right?
Is it legal to do this in Lansing????
In October of 2009 the Ingham County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution allowing homeowners to the keep “up to five hens on one or two-family residential properties, under certain conditions, unless otherwise prohibited or regulated by local ordinances or private land use restrictions.

For more details about this resolution, visit: http://www.ingham.org/bc/BC/INDEX/2009/09-345.htm

7)  Build Your Own Rain Barrel Workshop Saturday, March 6, MSU Plant and Soil Science Greenhouse

Register by Friday, February 26th.
The cost per barrel is $40. This price includes all the parts necessary for the basic construction of your barrel during the workshop and a copy of the instructions. Refreshments will be provided. To reserve your space in the workshop, send payment to:
Pat Merry, MGA CAC Treasurer
1739 Brookshire Court
Williamston, MI. 48895

Make checks payable to MGA CAC. Be sure to include your name, email, phone, and time preference (9-10 a.m., 10-11 a.m., or 11 a.m. – noon). Confirmation of your registration with assigned time slot and a copy of the instructions will be emailed to you prior to the workshop. Please identify your 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice for time slot assignment. For more information, email Carey Loveland at loveland@msu.edu. 
 
8 ) At Everybody Reads in March
HerStories celebrates Women’s History Month on March 6, 13, and 20 with local storytellers and authors at 1:00pm, followed by free writing workshops at 2:30pm. March 27 at 4:00pm is the HerStories Benefit Show and Open-Mike.  Everybody Reads, 2019 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, (517) 346-9900.

9) Help for Children with Asthma

Who is eligible for services?
·   Children less than 18 years old with asthma
·   Low-moderate income households in:
o  Ingham County: EVERY ZIP Code within Ingham County
o  Eaton County: Only ZIP Codes 48906, 48911 and 48917 within Eaton County

o  Clinton County: Only ZIP Code 48906 within Clinton County

What is the cost?
 ·   FREE

What help is available?
·   We will inspect your home and install products to reduce asthma triggers and prevent injuries.

·   We will provide any education that you may need to help reduce asthma triggers within your home.

Basic Products for EVERY Family Custom Products/Services for ELIGIBLE families
Outlet safety plugs, Carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, Bed, pillows and mattresses, Gutter Installation/repair, HEPA vacuum, Cabinet safety locks, Dehumidifier, HVAC maintenance and repair, Door mats, Skid proof bath mat, Moisture control, Plumbing repairs, Fire extinguisher, Gun trigger locks, Minor roof repairs, Yard grading, Mercury-free thermometers, Trash can with lid, Carpet removal, Garbage removal, Plastic food containers,  Smoking cessation kits, Flooring replacement, Lead-based paint cleaning kits, Nightlights and flashlights, Fans, Bathroom vent installation, Bush removal/landscaping, Green cleaning supplies, Pillow and mattress covers, Pest gels and baits, Foam crack sealant and caulk, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Outdoor play equipment improvements, Shower curtains, HEPA Room Filters, Mini-blind cord wind-ups, Step stool, Window air conditioning unit, Dryer vent repair/installation, Low-allergen furnace filters, Child safety gate. 

Getting started is easy! If you would like an application mailed to you, just complete the information requested below and return this sheet by mail, fax or e-mail.  You can also print an application online from our website at www.michigan.gov/leadsafe.
 
10) “My Environment”
Want to know about the quality of your drinking water, the status of brownfield sites or other environmental issues close to home? Check out the EPA’s website “My Environment”  Type in any location and get the environmental info you need.
 
11) Energy Efficiency for Old Wood Windows 
FREE Window Rehabilitation Workshop for Homeowners  Conserve Energy and also Preserve Resources April 9-11th, 2010* and April 16-18th, 2010* – Kalamazoo, Michigan
This great opportunity to learn how to rehab our wonderful old windows submitted/recommended by Eastside Housing Advocate and Restorationist, Dave Muylle. 
 
In Michigan, and throughout the United States, 20% of the housing was built before 1950, and a significant part of that housing stock has traditional wooden double hung windows. This may include your house or a family house or a rental property. Repairing wooden windows is a necessary skill for old house owners. With rehabilitation and a working storm window, old windows can be as energy efficient as new windows. 
 
In an intensive three day workshop, students will learn the fundamentals of repair and rehabilitation of traditional wooden double hung windows. Under the guidance of trained preservation craftspeople, trainees will work with traditional building materials and rehabilitate one complete window.
 
To request an application, call Sharon Ferraro at 269-337-8804 or email her at ferraros@kalamazoocity.org.  The application must be received by: Friday, March 5th, 2010 at 5:00 pm – you will be notified that you have been accepted in the class by Friday, March 12th, 2010.

2)  Energy Efficiency for Old Windows Workshop- Conserve and Preserve

3)  Mobile Food Pantry on Feb. 20 (Tomorrow!)

4)  Youth Gardening Conference on Feb. 20 (Tomorrow!)

5)  Urban Gardener Certification Course begins Feb. 24

6)  Seed Starting Workshop on Feb. 27

7)  Chicken Out with MSU Extension on March 5

8 )  Michigan Good Food Summit on Feb. 25

9)  At Everybody Reads in March

1) 2010 Winter Programs at Fenner Nature Center

Spring Break Nature Explorations            
$15 (Kindergarten – 5th Grade)
Sign up for one, two or three days at Fenner Nature Center and explore the park during the changing season. We may experience everything from a snowstorm to balmy temperatures, but we will still go out and investigate the changes occurring in plants and animals in the park.
Every day is different. Be ready for hikes, fun activities, and crafts.
Activity #337530A     4/6       Tues     9 am–2:30 pm
Activity #337530B     4/7       Wed    9 am-2:30 pm 
Activity #337530C     4/8       Thu      9 am-2:30 pm 
 
Winter Family Programs
Winter Campfire (Ages 4–Adult)
Enjoy a winters evening around the campfire. After a guided hike through the woods, warm up around the fire with s’mores, hot chocolate, and songs around the fire.
2/27     Sat       6:30-8:30 pm
Activity #237420C     $5 (ages 4-17)
Activity #237420D     $5 (Adult)
 
Project Learning Tree (PLT) Workshop
 $30 -  (Educators of Preschool- Grade 12)
 Join Fenner Naturalists as they take you through the activities of an award-winning environmental educational program designed for both formal and non-formal educators who teach youth from preschool through Grade 12. PLT uses the forest as a “window” on the world to increase young people’s understanding of our environment; stimulate their critical thinking; develop their ability to make informed decisions on environmental issues; and instill within them the commitment to take responsible action on behalf of the environment. Participants of the workshop will receive a copy of the PLT curriculum guide, which includes hundreds of activities you can use in your “classroom”. Lunch included.
Activity #237530B     3/27     Sat       10am-4pm
 
Special Events:
MAPLE SYRUP FESTIVAL
Saturday and Sunday, March 20 & 21, 2010
11 am – 4 pm                          Free Admission
March means Maple Syrup! Follow us into the maple grove to watch this uniquely North American activity. We will demonstrate how sap was collected and made into syrup throughout the ages. Warm up in the Visitor Center with hot chocolate and purchase some maple syrup and sugar. Then browse among the beautiful nature arts and crafts exhibited by local artists. Stop into the Friends of Fenner Gift Shop to look for unique nature items.
 
Maple Syrup Tours for groups are scheduled Tuesday through Friday during the day from March 8 through March 19. They are 1.5 hours in length. Several of the social studies and science objectives are covered during the program. Call for a flyer of educational programs.
 
Please contact us about school tours, scout badges & birthday parties. For further information or to register, call 483-4224. Visit us on the web at www.fofnc.org; Visit us at: 2020E. Mt. Hope Rd., Lansing
 
2) Energy Efficiency for Old Wood Windows 

FREE Window Rehabilitation Workshop for Homeowners  Conserve Energy and also Preserve Resources April 9-11th, 2010* and April 16-18th, 2010* – Kalamazoo, Michigan
This great opportunity to learn how to rehab our wonderful old windows submitted/recommended by Eastside Housing Advocate and Restorationist, Dave Muylle. 
 
In Michigan, and throughout the United States, 20% of the housing was built before 1950, and a significant part of that housing stock has traditional wooden double hung windows. This may include your house or a family house or a rental property. Repairing wooden windows is a necessary skill for old house owners. With rehabilitation and a working storm window, old windows can be as energy efficient as new windows. 
 
In an intensive three day workshop, students will learn the fundamentals of repair and rehabilitation of traditional wooden double hung windows. Under the guidance of trained preservation craftspeople, trainees will work with traditional building materials and rehabilitate one complete window.
 
To request an application, call Sharon Ferraro at 269-337-8804 or email her at ferraros@kalamazoocity.org.  The application must be received by: Friday, March 5th, 2010 at 5:00 pm – you will be notified that you have been accepted in the class by Friday, March 12th, 2010.  
 
3) MOBILE FOOD PANTRY

City of Lansing HUMAN RELATIONS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT & the Mid-Michigan Food Bank ANNOUNCES the next Mobile Food pantry.
 
Distribution of FREE, fresh, non-perishable food items      
When:  Saturday, February 20, 2010
Time:  9am until 11am
Where:  Cristo Rey Parish Church, 201 West Miller Road 48911, Lansing, MI 48906
Who can participate?
           •       The disadvantaged and vulnerable.
           •       Senior citizens on fixed incomes.
           •       Families/individuals with limited or low income jobs.
ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST BRING A VALID STATE IDENTIFICATION CARD OR DRIVER’S LICENSE. If you or someone you know must choose between buying food and filling prescriptions, please tell them about this important program.  Participants should bring a box or bag to carry food. For more information, call (517) 483-4477 
 
4) 3rd Annual Youth Garden Conference
Saturday, February 20, 9-4 pm Southside Community Center (5825 Wise Rd, Lansing). 

Register now!  Registration is now open for the 3rd Annual Youth Garden Conference at www.youthgardeningcoalition.org.  If you are involved or would like to be involved with a youth garden, come learn about what is happening with youth gardening in the Lansing area. Gain knowledge and resources to help grow your youth garden and network with others growing school and youth gardens throughout the Lansing area. Both youth and adults are welcome.

5) Urban Gardener Certification Course

Back by popular demand:   How to grow food in the shady lots and clay soil of Lansing’s Eastside!
 
When:   Wednesdays, Feb. 24 – March 31, 6:30pm – 9:00pm
Where:  Hunter Park GardenHouse
Description:  Open enrollment has begun for the Spring 2010 Urban Gardener Certificate Program. The class is comprised of six consecutive sessions, held Wednesdays from 6:30-9pm Feb. 24 through Mar. 31. It is an introduction to basic yard and greenhouse gardening skills appropriate for high density, small lot neighborhoods like those on Lansing’s Eastside.
More information is available at Allen Neighborhood Center, or electronically by request from allisonb@allenneighborhoodcenter.org.  

Request and submit an application before this popular class is full!

6) Seed Starting Workshop at Hunter Park GardenHouse

One in a series of workshops offered over the next few months to prepare you for a successful gardening season!
When:    Sat, February 27, 2:00pm – 3:30pm
Where:   Hunter Park GardenHouse
Description:   Get a jump start on the growing season! Linda Anderson will facilitate a hands-on workshop in which participants will learn seed starting techniques for maximum productivity in the garden.
 
For further information or to register, call Allison at 367-2468 or email her at allisonb@allenneighborhoodcenter.org.
 
7) Chicken Out With MSU Extension!

For happy chickens, happy neighbors, and a better breakfast!  Learn how to do it right!
 
March 5, 2010, 6:00- 9 :00 p.m.,
Location: Safari Room of the Potter Park Zoo, 1301 South Pennsylvania Avenue Lansing
To Register, call 517-676-7207/ Fax: 517-676-7288, or E-mail: cvernon@ingham.org
 
What’s All the Flap About??
Wouldn’t it be great to have a few chickens in the back yard? Fresh eggs, bug control, rich compost
for the garden, and a chance for the kids to see where food comes from! So you go to the local
farm store and buy some chicks. . . .

Now What??
Just like everything else, there is a lot more to raising chickens than meets the eye. • What should (or can) I feed them at different stages of life? • How do I keep them healthy and productive? • What should I expect from my chickens? • What about raccoons, cats, weasels, coyotes, skunks, opossums….how
do I keep my chickens safe? • How do I manage the manure in a safe way that will not bother neighbors or harm the environment? • Can I get salmonella poisoning from my chickens, their manure, or the eggs? How can I reduce the risk? • What kind of equipment do I need to do this right? • Is it legal to do this in Lansing????

In October of 2009 the Ingham County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution allowing homeowners to the keep “up to five hens on one or two-family residential properties, under certain conditions, unless otherwise prohibited or regulated by local ordinances or private land use restrictions. 

For more details about this resolution, visit: http://www.ingham.org/bc/BC/INDEX/2009/09-345.htm

8 ) Michigan Good Food Summit, Thursday, February 25, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Lansing Center

This summit will assemble food system stakeholders from across the state to shape a plan that propels Michigan towards food production, distribution and marketing to support a thriving economy, equity, and sustainability. Good Food is about building on our assets in ways that enable Michigan communities to prosper and our residents to thrive. Focus areas include: Youth Engagement in Community Food, Healthy Food Access for Families & Communities, Farmer Viability & Development, Institutional Food Purchasing, and Food System Infrastructure. To register and for more information visit www.michiganfood.org  and contact Kathryn Colasanti at colokat@msu.edu or 517-353-0642.
 
9) At Everybody Reads in March

HerStories celebrates Women’s History Month on March 6, 13, and 20 with local storytellers and authors at 1:00pm, followed by free writing workshops at 2:30pm. March 27 at 4:00pm is the HerStories Benefit Show and Open-Mike.  Everybody Reads, 2019 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, (517) 346-9900.

This month our theme is Beans-n-Greens. We will be making the following dishes:

• Black Bean Burgers

• Vegetable Pizza,

• Chocolate Chip-Oatmeal Bean Cookies,

• Spicy Pasta, Bean and Sausage Soup

• Skillet Gnocchi with Chard and White Beans

• Banana Strawberry Green Smoothie

Community Soup will take place at the Unity Spiritual Renaissance Church on 230 S. Holmes Street (Corner of Clifford and Prospect) Lansing, MI 48912.

See you in the Kitchen!

1)  Why Organic?
Workshop and Discussion at ANC’s  Hunter Park GardenHouse

Join us Tuesday, February 16, from 6:30 – 8:00 pm at the GardenHouse to learn about the benefits associated with eating organic and how to change your gardening ways so as to produce organic food.  This workshop will be led by Vicki Morrone of the C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Agriculture.  Vicki has an educational background in plant pathology and plant science and works in production and pest management outreach and research programs serving Michigan organic and transition producers of field crops and vegetables.  Call Allison at 999-3910 or email her at allisonb@allenneighborhoodcentor.org for more information.
 
2) Design Lansing’s: Complete Streets Network

Don’t miss this opportunity to help shape Lansing’s future. Following almost a year of public input, the City of Lansing is pleased to present its draft non-motorized plan to the public.  Attend the open house to view the draft plan, which includes on and off-road facilities and crossing upgrades. Those attending will be asked to provide:
1) feedback on the draft level non-motorized network plan
2) priorities for implementation of the plan
 
Following the Non-Motorized Plan open house, there will be a Master Plan meeting from 6:30 to 8:30 in the same room focusing on transportation.
 
Additional Master Plan meetings will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 PM as follows:
Feb. 16th         Economic Development          Letts Community Ctr.
Feb. 23rd        Land Use                                         South Side Comm. Ctr.
March 4th       Green Infrastructure                Foster Community Ctr.

For more information, contact  Andy Kilpatrick at 517-483-4248 or akilpatr@lansingmi.gov

3) MOBILE FOOD PANTRY
City of Lansing HUMAN RELATIONS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT & the Mid-Michigan Food Bank ANNOUNCES the next Mobile Food pantry.
 
Distribution of FREE, fresh, non-perishable food items      
When:  Saturday, February 20, 2010
Time:  9am until 11am
Where:  Cristo Rey Parish Church, 201 West Miller Road 48911, Lansing, MI 48906
Who can participate?
           •       The disadvantaged and vulnerable.
           •       Senior citizens on fixed incomes.
           •       Families/individuals with limited or low income jobs.

ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST BRING A VALID STATE IDENTIFICATION CARD OR DRIVER’S LICENSE. If you or someone you know must choose between buying food and filling prescriptions, please tell them about this important program.  Participants should bring a box or bag to carry food. For more information, call (517) 483-4477
 
4) Chicken Out With MSU Extension!
For happy chickens, happy neighbors, and a better breakfast!  Learn how to do it right!
 
March 5, 2010, 6:00- 9 :00 p.m.,
Location: Safari Room of the Potter Park Zoo, 1301 South Pennsylvania Avenue Lansing
To Register, call 517-676-7207/ Fax: 517-676-7288, or E-mail: cvernon@ingham.org
 
What’s All the Flap About??
Wouldn’t it be great to have a few chickens in the back yard? Fresh eggs, bug control, rich compost for the garden, and a chance for the kids to see where food comes from! So you go to the local farm store and buy some chicks. . . .

Now What??
Just like everything else, there is a lot more to raising chickens than meets the eye.

• What should (or can) I feed them at different stages of life?

• How do I keep them healthy and productive?

• What should I expect from my chickens?

• What about raccoons, cats, weasels, coyotes, skunks, opossums….how do I keep my chickens safe?

• How do I manage the manure in a safe way that will not bother neighbors or harm the environment?

• Can I get salmonella poisoning from my chickens, their manure, or the eggs? How can I reduce the risk?

• What kind of equipment do I need to do this right?

Is it legal to do this in Lansing????

In October of 2009 the Ingham County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution allowing homeowners to the keep “up to five hens on one or two-family residential properties, under certain conditions, unless otherwise prohibited or regulated by local ordinances or private land use restrictions.
For more details about this resolution, visit: http://www.ingham.org/bc/BC/INDEX/2009/09-345.htm

5) “Ancient Shores of the Great Lakes – A Voyage into History.”  

Message from Carol Linteau, Maritime Culture Advisor, DNR, 517-241-7396
 
I’m very pleased to invite you to join Lt. Governor John Cherry and the Noble Odyssey Foundation for the Premiere of the exciting new 25 minute film “Ancient Shores of the Great Lakes – A Voyage into History.”  The Premiere will be held March 2, 2010 at 11:30 a.m., in the Michigan Historical Center’s main auditorium.  Admission is free, and all are welcome.  Seating will be on a first come, first served basis.   
 
This documentary film presents the exciting findings from the 2009 field research conducted by the Foundation in Michigan Great Lakes waters.  You will learn about drowned rivers, waterfalls, caves, and forests on the lake bed, as well as historic shipwrecks and the overall mission of the Foundation.  This research was funded in part by a grant from the Michigan Coastal Management Program which annually awards funds provided by the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration for protection of our precious coastal areas and Great Lakes waters.
 
Please see the attached for further information, and please feel free to share it with others.  I look forward to seeing you at this exciting Premiere! 

6) The Master Plan meetings

The City is holding topical meetings to gather input from residents for the new Master Plan.  Topics include Economic Development (Letts Community Center on February 16), Transportation (Foster Community Center on February 18), and Land Use (Southside Community Center on Wise Road on February 23). A meeting on Green Infrastructure was canceled due to snow and will be rescheduled.  All meetings start at 6:30 p.m.  The Master Planning folks holding Meetings-in-a-Box and gathering over 1000 surveys over the past many months have noted deep interest in these topics.  Make a point of attending any and all and adding your voice to the planning for Lansing’s future.

7) 3rd Annual Youth Garden Conference
Saturday, February 20, 9-4 pm Southside Community Center (5825 Wise Rd, Lansing). 

Register now!  Registration is now open for the 3rd Annual Youth Garden Conference at www.youthgardeningcoalition.org.  If you are involved or would like to be involved with a youth garden, come learn about what is happening with youth gardening in the Lansing area. Gain knowledge and resources to help grow your youth garden and network with others growing school and youth gardens throughout the Lansing area. Both youth and adults are welcome.

8 ) Join the GardenHouse Book Club; read Food Not Lawns
For our next book, the rapidly growing GardenHouse Book Club will be reading a very explicit how-to for turning your yard into a garden and your neighborhood into a community. You can purchase Food Not Lawns by Heather C. Flores from Everybody Reads beginning later this week, and then join us on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 6:30 pm at the GardenHouse.
 
Here’s what Amazon.com has to say:
“…A source of both information and inspiration for one of the most hopeful and exciting movements of our time.” — Michael Ableman, author of Fields Of Plenty
 
“For activist readers who believe activism is a political pursuit, FOOD NOT LAWNS: HOW TO TURN YOUR YARD INTO A GARDEN AND YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD INTO A COMMUNITY offers a different viewpoint, maintaining that growing food where you live is a key method of becoming a food activist in the community. Chapters advocate planting home and community gardens with an eye to drawing important connections between the politics of a home or community garden and the wider politics of usage, consumption, and sustainability. Another rarity: chapters promote small, easy changes in lifestyles to achieve a transition between personal choice and political activism at the community level, providing keys to change any reader can use.” – Bookwatch/Midwest Book Review, December 2006
 
For further information or to join this lively, stimulating book club, call Allison at 367-2468 or email her at allisonb@allenneighborhoodcenter.org.

9) Michigan Good Food Summit

Thursday, February 25, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Lansing Center

This summit will assemble food system stakeholders from across the state to shape a plan that propels Michigan towards food production, distribution and marketing to support a thriving economy, equity, and sustainability. Good Food is about building on our assets in ways that enable Michigan communities to prosper and our residents to thrive. Focus areas include: Youth Engagement in Community Food, Healthy Food Access for Families & Communities, Farmer Viability & Development, Institutional Food Purchasing, and Food System Infrastructure. To register and for more information visit www.michiganfood.org  and contact Kathryn Colasanti at colokat@msu.edu or 517-353-0642.
 
10) Garden Education Collaborative
The Greater Lansing Garden Education Collaborative (of which ANC is a member) has produced an awesome poster full of classes and hands-on workshops for gardeners of all skill levels (you may have seen them around town).  Classes cover a wide variety of topics and are offered at locations throughout Lansing.  Check out the calendar on www.allenneighborhoodcenter.org or at www.LetsGardenLansing.org.
 
11) At Everybody Reads in March
HerStories celebrates Women’s History Month on March 6, 13, and 20 with local storytellers and authors at 1:00pm, followed by free writing workshops at 2:30pm. March 27 at 4:00pm is the HerStories Benefit Show and Open-Mike.  Everybody Reads, 2019 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, (517) 346-9900.