Active Neighboring News: Holiday Parties, 'Restoration' Workshop, Poetry and Music, Cafe' and More
Joan Nelson
Active Neighboring News
Distributed by Allen Neighborhood
Center
Please forward to friends and neighbors!
For Restoration Works, Allen
Street Farmers Market, Hunter Park GardenHouse,
and other ANC News, check out our website at www.allenneighborhoodcenter.org
December 7, 2011
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
The next five days are jam-packed with neighborhood events, beginning tonight with ENO’s Annual Holiday Part; Thursday’s Restoration Works Tour and Tutorial Thursday (#1 below); on Friday a choice between a fundraiser for The Ear or Jazz at Dem Hall; and on Saturday, an opportunity to participate in a discussion about potential uses of Land Bank-owned Commercial Properties at the Active Neighboring Café. Check these out and more:
1) Add Usable Spaces to Your Old House, THURSDAY
2) New “generations—a night of poetry and music”, FRIDAY
3) New Jazz at Dem Hall, FRIDAY
4) New Meeting on Utility Worker Training Program FRIDAY
5) Active Neighboring Café on Land Bank Properties SATURDAY
6) Lansing Art Gallery offers holiday Workshops!
7) Capital Area Humane Society Holiday Open House on 12/10
8) A Not So Silent Night on 12/10
9) Gingerbread House Contest at City Market on 12/10
10) New Community Garden in Potter Walsh Meeting on 12/12
11) New Sistrum Concert on 12/16-17
12) New Mobile Pantry on 12/17
13) Habitat Open House on 12/17
14) Fenner Offers Boy Scout Badge Workshops
15) Fenner offers “Winter Break Adventures”, beginning 12/19
16) Lansing Parks and Rec Offerings
17) Garden Leaders Training beginning in January
18) ITEC offers Every Digital Computer Classes beginning in January
19) Bea Christy Dinner on Feb. 10-Save the Date!
Ongoing Offerings
20) T’is the Season at VanAtta’s
21) Asset Independence Coalition Offers Free Tax Prep
22) Rebuilding
Together Ingham County 2012 Applications
23) Moms, Make $10 by Taking a
MSU Survey!
24) Buy
your Xmas Tree from Habitat
25) Swap old holiday lights for LED lights
26) Mid-Day Movies (Free)
27) Free Tutoring at Eastern High School
28) Free Homework Help at the Downtown Library
29) Offerings from CADL
30) Quote of the Week
P.S. I just came from the graduation ceremony honoring the first graduates of ITEC’s Everyday Digital Class. Today’s program was a moving tribute to the energy and discipline of adult computer novices—many from the Eastside-- in learning basic digital skills. How wonderful that this opportunity is available here in the neighborhood—right over at Foster Community Center where ITEC is housed. See # 18 below for information on upcoming sessions and help spread the word!
1) Interesting Ways to Add Usable Spaces to Your Old House,
A Restoration Works Tutorial and Tour on Dec. 8 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM
Couldn’t we all use a little more space around the house? The problem is finding it, especially in turn of the century houses. Problem solved. If you want to find hidden spots for storage shelves, bathroom nooks, coat closets and more, join Liz Harrow, architect and Lansing Community College Instructor for this imaginative program. Explore how old furniture, drawers and doors can be reused to expand storage options. Understand what it takes to turn attic space into living space. Get ready to personalize make your space and make it really yours.
Tutorial will be at Allen Neighborhood Center from 5:30-6:30 pm.
Tour of 1512 E. Kalamazoo (1/2 bl. west) immediately follows, run from 6:30-7:30 pm.
2) generations: a night of poetry &
music
Date and Time: Friday
12/09/11, 7:30pm -- 8:30pm
Place: (scene) metrospace, 110 Charles Street, East Lansing, MI 48823
Description:
"generations: a night of poetry & music" is a benefit for The Listening
Ear Crisis Center with proceeds going toward the Capital Area Sexual Assault
Response Center, a community-wide, years-long endeavor by Greater-Lansing
advocacy groups. The suggested donation is $10-5.
"generations" delivers collaborative performances by poet
Melissa Dey Hasbrook, oboist Gretchen Morse (Lansing Symphony Orchestra), and
band The Heades. The artists chose poems from Hasbrook's book "Circle...Home,"
around which the music will flow. The
program explores the impact of war throughout generations, whose survival
offers hope and inspiration despite cycles of violence. The event observes the
international campaign 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence (Nov. 25 -
Dec. 10) with its 2012 theme, calling for an end to militarism and gender
violence.
The Listening
Ear Crisis
Intervention Center,
2504 E. Michigan Ave.,
Lansing, MI 48912
crisis: 517.337.1717, office: 517.337.1728, http://theear.org
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheListeningEar
3) JAZZ in DEM HALL
Treat yourself to performances by MSU’s Jazz Orchestras- I, II, and III- this Friday, December 9 at 7:30 pm at Demonstration Hall at MSU. Price is $10, $8 for seniors and free for students and those under age 18. Sponsor is College of Music, 353-5340.
4) CAMW! Utility Worker Training Program (Note Dec. 9 meeting)
Capital Area Michigan Works! (CAMW!) has partnered with Lansing Community College (LCC) and the Workforce Development Agency State of Michigan to administer a U.S. Department of Energy grant to increase the pool of trained candidates to enter Michigan’s electrical utility workforce.
The CAMW! Utility Worker Training Program can pay tuition,
fees and textbooks for courses
included in LCC’s Electrical Utility/Lineworker certificate of
completion.
(Download Curriculum Guide at www.LCC.edu)
LCC’s Electrical Utility/Lineworker certificate is a 32-credit, 16-month program. Starting with a rigid application process, individuals granted department approval must then attend mandatory program meetings, two-semesters of academic classes and then a 9-week climbing school conducted in Marshall, MI. Successful completion of this training prepares individuals to enter lineworker apprenticeships in utility companies or other occupations utilizing similar skills. The next program begins January 2012 and is completed April 2013. A second program begins February 2012 and is completed July 2013. There is no promise or guarantee of placement. Electrical utility lineworkers can earn $55,000 annual starting salary and have a lifetime career!
Attend the Information Meeting at Capital Area Michigan Works, located at 2110 S. Cedar Street, Lansing on December 9 from 3:00pm—5:00pm to obtain necessary applications. For more information contact: Brindley Byrd, Program Manager CAMW! Utility Worker Training at bb...@camw.net or 517-492-5575.
5) Active Neighboring Café – Brainstorming Possibilities for Land Bank Owned Commercial Properties
This quarter’s Active Neighboring Café, scheduled for Saturday, December 10, from 10 am – Noon at ANC, includes:
· Updates to neighbors on what is happening with some of the Land Bank’s commercial properties, e.g., Scott Gillespie’s development at Marshall and E. Michigan Ave., Silver Dollar Saloon plans, etc.
· A Brainstorming Session/Conversation about what neighbors would like to see happen at the corner of E. Kalamazoo and Pennsylvania, at the corner of Leslie and E. Kalamazoo, and other sites.
· Listing of upcoming tax foreclosed Eastside properties that may be available through the Land Bank’s PROP program (i.e., very appealing terms for someone who wants to buy a tax foreclosed home in need of work).
For further information, contact Tom Curtis at to...@allenneighborhoodcenter.org or 999-3924.
6) Lansing Art Gallery Workshops
Lansing Art Gallery, 119 N. Washington Square, www.lansingartgallery.org, (517)374-6400
Holiday Jewelry Workshop with Tresse Roby
Saturday, December 10, 1:30 - 3:30 PM, $30. (members) or $25. (non-members)
Jewelry - Learn and incorporate a variety of jewelry techniques, while creating gifts for yourself or others.
Holiday Clay Workshop with Tresse Roby
Saturday, December 17, 1:30 - 3:30 PM, $30. (members) or $25. (non-members)
Clay - Tint and coil your own keepsake box to hold special treasures: a perfect for a gift or keepsake.
7) Capital Area Humane Society Holiday
Open House
Saturday, December 10, 11:00am -
6:00pm, Capital Area Humane Society, 7095 W Grand River Ave,
Lansing, Michigan 48906
The Capital Area Humane Society’s Holiday Open House features: -$75 off all
animal adoption fees!(Dogs will be $75, Puppies will be $125, Kittens will be
$50 and Cats are no charge to approved adopters!) -Cats and Kittens are still
adopt one, get one free -Pet photos with ‘Santa Claws’ -Bake Sale -Vendor
Tables such as Pampered Chef, Tupperware, Woofer Snacks and more -Children's
Activities -and much, much more! Reduced Adoption Fees begin at 11am, with
Santa Photos, Bake Sale and Vendors beginning at noon.
For
more information, please call (517)
626-6060 or visit www.AdoptLansing.org
8) "A Not So Silent Night"
Annual Benefit for REACH Studio Art Center
7:00 - 9:30pm, Saturday December 10 at the Michigan Museum of Surveying
220 Museum Drive Lansing, MI. 48933
Come and enjoy the family friendly fun of:
· A Silent Auction of over 100 items of original art, giftable items, and gift certificates from area restaurants and businesses
· Singing along to favorite holiday songs with musicians RAY KAMALAY and BEN FUHRMAN
· Lots of great edible goodies, fun and fellowship!
Tickets are $12 in advance for ages 14 up and $15 at the
door
Children age 13 and under attending with an adult are FREE!
Purchase your tickets online by clicking here or stop by REACH during office hours
(M-Th 12:00 - 6:00, F 10:00 - 4:00)
9) Gingerbread House Contest at City Market
The Lansing
City Market is hosting a
Gingerbread House Contest during our 2nd Annual Ye Olde Christmas event on Dec
10th, 11:00a-3:00p
Come join the fun when the Lansing City Market transforms into a vintage
village! Free activities include horse-drawn carriage rides, musical
performances, a community gingerbread house build and competition, and of
course a visit from Father Christmas! Holiday
decor, wreaths, and trees will also be available. For more information, visit http://www.lansingcitymarket.com/Ye Olde Christmas Flyer
Entry is free! www.lansingcitymarket.com
10) Community Garden in Potter-Walsh Neighborhood?
Many of you may have noticed that gardens are popping up all
over Lansing.
For those that live in the Potter-Walsh neighborhood surrounding Walsh Park,
look for your opportunity to join in the fun soon. South Lansing’s Urban Garden
program is exploring options for a new community garden in the area, and we’d
love to have you join us. On Monday, December 12th we’ll be holding a
discussion at Faith
Fellowship Baptist
Church (1001 Dakin St.)
following the Potter-Walsh Neighborhood Association’s meeting from 6:20-7:20.
Discussion topics will include location, desire and vision for a new
community garden, as well as any other questions the community might have.
Staff members from the Greater Lansing Food Bank’s Garden Program, and South
Lansing Community Development Association will be on hand to answer questions
and hear comments. If you have questions or would like to attend please contact
SLCDA's Garden Coordinator
Neal Valley
by phone 517 374 5700 or
email ne...@southlansing.org
11) "Holiday of Lights" Winter Concert
by Sistrum, Lansing Women's Chorus and LanSINGout Gay Men's Chorus
LanSINGout, Artisitic Director Doug Armstead, and Sistrum, Artistic Director Meredith Bowen, invite you to "Holiday of Lights," a winter concert celebrating our 9th year of collaboration.
December 16 and 17, 2011, 8:00 pm.
Dart Auditorium on the Lansing
Community College Campus
For more information see www.holidayoflights.org
Musical selections include traditional pieces from Randall Thompson's
"Frostiana" and untraditional arrangements of "The Holly and the
Ivy" and "Deck the Halls." The women will sing a rousing wassail
and pay homage to The Nutcracker. The men will add their usual flair to various
pieces including "Jingle All the Way." Also presented this year is
the Prairie Home Companion award-winning carol, "Carolers at My Door"
which will provide a poignant spot in the concert juxtaposed with a celebration
of making fruitcake. This concert is a must-see!
Tickets are available online at http://www.sistrum.org/ or from chorus members on a
sliding scale of $12 to $20. Tickets will be available at the door on a sliding
scale of $15 to $25. Children are admitted free. The concert will be ASL
interpreted and wheelchair accessible
12) Mobil Food Pantry
A project of City of Lansing Human Relations and Community Services and Mid-MI Food Bank for disadvantaged and vulnerable, seniors on fixed incomes, families and individuals with limited or low income jobs. Bring state i.d. or a driver’s license and come to First United Methodist on Delta River Drive on Saturday, Dec. 17, between 9-11am. Call 483-4477 for further information.
13) Habitat for Humanity Lansing & Thrivent Builds 2011
Open House & Dedication, Saturday, December 17, 2011 2:00 p.m.
3301 Danbury Crossroad Street, Lansing, MI
For more information go to www.habitatlansing.org
14) Fenner to Host Boy Scout Merit Badge Workshops
WHO and WHERE: Fenner Nature Center, 2020 E. Mt. Hope Ave., 517-483-4224
WHAT: Staff counselors will be available to help Boy Scouts complete requirements for several merit badges in the next few months. Pre-registration is required, and more details can be found at www.mynaturecenter.org. Scholarships may be available for those who qualify. Additionally, Fenner staff members are qualified and excited to lead Cub Scout, Webelos, Brownies, and Girl Scout badge workshops as well. Leaders should call the nature center for more information.
WHEN: “Geology” Merit Badge
December 17, 2011, Noon – 3:00pm, Fee: $30 per scout
“Reptile and Amphibian Study” Merit Badge
January 7, 2012, Noon – 3:00pm, Fee: $30 per scout
“Weather” Merit Badge
January 21,
2012, Noon-3:00pm, Fee: $30 per scout
“Bird Study” Merit Badge
February 25,
2012, Noon-3:00pm, Fee: $30 per scout
15) Fenner Nature Center to Host “Winter Break Adventures”
Winter is right around the corner, and Fenner Nature Center is gearing up for this year’s Winter Break Adventures. These programs follow a different theme each day and showcase attributes of nature in winter.
On December 19th, we kick off the week with “Chill Out,” a day that focuses on how our animal friends survive once winter makes its debut. Participants will learn about insulation and hibernation through outdoor activities such as building shelters using materials from nature and hiking to find animal homes.
On December 20th the first annual “Fenner Animal Snow-lympics” will challenge kids to jump as far as a Snowshoe Hare, run as fast as an Arctic Wolf and compete against other cold climate critters that have awesome athletic abilities. We will investigate why these animals are such athletes and how that helps them survive the winter.
“The Great Migration” embarks on December 21st as we take a journey to learn about animals that hit the road as soon as winter comes knocking! Participants will find out how animals like Monarch Butterflies, Songbirds and Caribou travel great distances each year by taking part in a “Migration Scavenger Hunt.”
On December 22nd, we will learn how to track animals in the snow, identify edible winter plants, and survive in the great outdoors during Winter Wilderness Survival Camp!
These programs are open to children ages 5 and up and cost $25 per day for Lansing residents and $30 per day for Non-residents. Each day runs from 9:00am-4:00pm. Pre-registration and payment is required to secure a spot. Please call 483-4224 to sign up your child. For more information as well as on-line registration, visit us on the web at www.mynaturecenter.org.
16) Lansing Parks and Recreation Offerings
Get Involved, Get Going and Get In Shape! Registration deadlines are fast approaching for the following sports:
Youth Sports Information & Registration Form
Youth Basketball Registration Form
Adult Volleyball Information & Registration Form
For more information on any of these program offerings, or to sign up, please call 517.483.4039 or e-mail tsto...@lansingmi.gov
17) Garden Leaders Training
Saturdays
(Multiple Classes), 9:00a- Noon, Foster Community Center, Room 213
Come join area gardeners at the Garden Project's 2012 Garden Leaders
Training series. If you're thinking about starting a new community garden,
joining an existing garden, or want more info on how to be a coordinator, this
program is essential! There are four classes on a variety of topics, on January
21, February 11, March 3, and March 24. All are on Saturday mornings from
9AM-Noon.
Presented by The Garden Project of the Greater Lansing Food Bank
Contact: garden...@greaterlansingfoodbank.org or (517) 853-7809
18) ITEC offers Everyday Digital Computer Classes for Adults at Foster
Starting in January 2012, the Information Technology Empowerment Center (ITEC) will be offering low-cost Everyday Digital Computer Classes for Adults. The classes are designed to aid low-income, novice computer users. Participants will learn the basics of computer use. Please call or email Cathy Post at ITEC with questions . Cathy’s email address is ca...@iteclansing.org and her phone number is 517-708-4394.
Session 1
January 10th to March 1st
Classes held Tuesday/Thursday
9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Session 2
January 9th to February 1st
Classes held Monday/Wednesday
6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
19) Save the Date: 25th Annual Bea Christy Dinner
February 10; Lansing Center; $16 per ticket. Call the Lansing Neighborhood Council at 393-9883 for details.
Ongoing Offerings
20) 'Tis the Season! at VanAtta’s
...for decorating, gift giving and cookie making, among the many other things we do this time of year. If you have a favorite holiday recipe, please share and we'll include what we can in the upcoming newsletters and on facebook! We thought we'd share some decorating ideas with you to incorporate into your holiday preparations, (as if you don't have enough to do!)
Holiday Tips
· Save the boughs you cut from the base of your Christmas tree to stick into your porch pots or window boxes. Stick them directly into the soil, then water the soil so the boughs freeze there. Add indoor/outdoor ribbon, lights, twigs or pinecones. If you don't have enough trimmings from your tree, we sell bundles of evergreen boughs that start at $2.99.
· Instead of throwing away burned out Christmas lights, especially the big C9's and other outdoor lights, consider collecting them in glass jars or vases. They are festive and colorful, and look very pretty lined up on a windowsill or as a centerpiece.
· Use wrapped red and white peppermints and candycanes as the decorations for a small tree in your kitchen or entryway. You can add red ribbon and white lights and encourage people to grab a treat when they leave!
· Grapevine wound with white lights down a bannister or around your porch is a beautiful Christmas decoration. You can leave it plain or add bits of evergreen to give it some color.
· Don't feel like you need to use a traditional Christmas tree topper, especially if you can't find just the one you like. Use a grouping of holiday picks wired together, a group of ornaments wired or glued together, or a large bow.
· Stainless steel gazing globes can remain outside year 'round, and look beautiful against a snowy background. If you have a large one, place it in among the evergreens in your pots, or leave it on the ground or on its stand in your landscape. Several smalls ones look pretty clustered in an unused birdbath with greens as well.
· Wind grapevine into orb shapes and cover with lights for a magical look when they're hanging from outdoor trees.
· Watch Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer or one of the other wonderful holiday shows and string cranberries and popcorn while you're doing it. The birds and other wildlife will love it, and it's an old-fashioned, fairly inexpensive way to decorate an outdoor tree or shrub.
Wreath Making Classes
We're scheduling 2 more wreath-making classes this year due to popular demand! Both will be on a Saturday at 1pm and class size is limited, so call and sign up soon!! December 3rd (almost full) and December 10th are the dates, classes are $25 each and Van Atta's provides the wreath frame, greens, expertise and instruction necessary for you to go home with your very own handmade wreath! Call 517.339.1142 to reserve and pay for your class spot today!
Holiday Hours
Monday through Saturday 9am to 6pm, Sunday 10am to 6pm, Christmas Eve and New Years Eve 9am to 4pm, Closed Christmas and New Years Day
Contact us at 339.1142 or vana...@voyager.net. Visit our website: http://www.vanattas.com/ and become a fan on facebook or follow us on twitter.
21) Asset Independence Coalition - Free Tax Prep and
Filing
The Asset Independence Coalition is proud to announce free tax
preparation services for the 2012 tax season. If your household income is
$49,000 or less, they will do your taxes for you. If you are above that, they
will show you how to prepare them yourself and e-file. All of these services
are free. To schedule an appointment simply dial 2-1-1.
For more information, visit www.assetindependencecoalition.org or contact Amber Paxton
at (517) 256-1466 or aic.mid...@gmail.com
22) Rebuilding Together Ingham County
2012 Applications
Do you know a low-income homeowner
that is disabled or over 60 years of age and could use some home repairs or
maintenance? Rebuilding Together
Ingham County
is taking applications for the 2012 Rebuilding Day to be held April 28,
2012. The new application deadline is January 20, 2012. To
receive an application, call (517)
214-8356.
The following are the criteria for Eligible Applicants: own and reside in
an Ingham county home, property taxes are up-to-date, homeowner’s insurance is
current, income at or below $1,361 per month for a one-person household or
$1,839 per month for a two person household, homeowner plans to be in home for
at least two years, and unable physically and financially to complete the
requested repairs.
This is a great project that helped eighteen homeowners in
2011!
For more information go to http://www.rebuildingtogether.org/
23) Moms, Make $10 by Taking a MSU Survey!
Are you a mom with a daughter under 12 years old? Michigan State
University researchers
would like your opinions on a new website.
It doesn’t take too long, and you’ll get paid $10 when you complete two short
surveys.
Follow the link to get started, http://www.msu.edu/~perrau14/surveycancer.html
For more information, contact Evan Perrault at breastc...@gmail.com
24) Buy your Xmas Tree from Habitat
Habitat for Humanity Lansing Restore is selling Christmas Trees for $15. Proceeds used to help build a new home on Hillcrest in Lansing.
1941 Benjamin – West of Larch off Douglas (where Lake Lansing Road ends)
Tues-Fri 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
25) Recycle your old holiday lights and
receive FREE LED lights!
Beginning on November 17, 2011 BWL residential electric customers
can exchange two strands of working incandescent holiday lights for two FREE
strands of energy-saving LED holiday lights while supplies last. The program
will end on December 2, 2011 or sooner if supplies run out. Bring a valid Michigan ID and a current BWL
electric bill to the address below. Limit of two strands of LED holiday lights
per household.
The LED holiday light exchange will take place at:
BWL Customer Service Center, 1232 Haco Drive, Lansing, M-F 8:00am-5:30pm
26) Mid-Day Movies (Free)
Downtown Lansing Library, Every Tuesday and Thursday at 2 p.m.
the downtown branch of the Capital Area District Library opens its auditorium
for adults to watch recent releases on the BIG screen. For more
information, call (517)
367-6363.
27) Free After School Tutoring at Eastern High School
Free Tutoring is available after school at Eastern High School! Parents can return the tutoring form after having their child stop by Room 203 at Eastern any Monday, Wednesday or Thursday between 2:40 and 4:50pm (that's when tutoring will be offered) to get one to bring home. Your child will take two pre-assessment tests, one in Math and the other in English/Language Arts. Then our tutors will create an Individual Learning Plan. Thirty-Two hours of free tutoring is offered per student.
28) Homework Help (K-12)
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays Now –
Nov 30, 5-7pm, Downtown Lansing Library
Students from MSU will be in the Children’s area for free one-on-one
tutoring sessions for grades K-12.
29) Offered by CADL at the Downtown Library
FREE Reading & Math Help for Adults
Every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, until Dec. 1. Drop in between 1-3 pm—no appointment needed.
Assistance provided by the Capital Area Literacy Coalition—“the reading people.”
CADL Downtown Lansing Library
401 South Capital, at the corner of Kalamazoo (One block West of CATA Bus Station)
FREE Homework Help for K-12
Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays • 5–7 pm, until November 30
Students from MSU will be here for in-person tutoring in our Children’s area for grades K–12.
30) Quote of the Week
“Christmas is a time when everybody wants his past forgotten and his present remembered. What I don't like about office Christmas parties is looking for a job the next day.” Phyllis Diller
Good health is contagious;
Catch some on the Eastside!
Here’s how:
Tai Chi in Hunter Park (preceded by Meditation)
Tai Chi in the Park is taught by Bob Teachout every Saturday morning at 9:30 am., preceded by meditation at 8:45 am. Now that brisk weather has arrived, the group will meet inside the GardenHouse. No charge!!
Friday Noon Stroll
Also, join us every Friday at noon for a Walk on the Hunter Park Path. Bring friends, dogs, children, stories and become a part of this Friday noon tradition!
Free Community Yoga at Just
B Yoga (For All Ages)
Every Wednesday, 6:30pm - 8:00pm, Just B Yoga Studio (106 Island
Avenue)
Free weekly power yoga class for all levels! Get rid of stress, increase
muscle tone, and meet new friends. Yoga mats provided. For more
information, please call (517) 488-5260 or visit http://justbyoga.com/classes/schedule/
or www.justbyoga.com
--
Joan Nelson, Director
Allen Neighborhood Center
1619 E. Kalamazoo St., Lansing, MI 48912
517-999-3912