Active Neighboring News: Weatherization Enrollment Day, Lots of Gardening Items, Public Hearing on Casino, Arts!
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
March 5, 2012
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
This Saturday, from 10-noon at the Center, we will be holding our final Weatherization Enrollment Day. If you would like to apply for free energy efficiency upgrades for your home, this is your last chance to do so at ANC. Call Jessica at 367-2468 for more information. Now, here is a start-of-the-week scoop on upcoming activities:
ANC-Sponsored Events/Activities
1) Urban Gardening Certificate Program beginning 3/6
2) New All About Soil on 3/17
3) Gardeners Roundtable (ongoing every Sunday)
Other Community Events
4) New Public Hearing on Proposed Casino on 3/7
5) New Art Studio Wksp on TILES beginning 3/13
6) New Third Thursday Gardeners Potluck on 3/14
7) New 80s Flashback on 3/24
8) New Build Your Own Worm Bin on 3/24
9) Garden Leader Training on 3/24
10) New Creative Tots Classes in April
11) New ANC Team forming for Race for the Cure on 4/29
Ongoing Offerings
12) Selection of Lansing’s Next Superintendent
13) Request for Assistance from Greater Lansing Food Bank
14) Farm to Table Series at CADL
15) Info from ITEC on Everyday Digital Classes
16) Lansing Marathon
17) Request from League of MI Bicyclists
18) Knee High Naturalists
19) Teen Community Art Project
20) Parenting Group
21) A Habitat House for You?
22) Free Intro to Computers at MI Works
23) Asset Independence Coalition Offers Free Tax Prep
24) Quote of the Week
Your Friends at ANC
ANC-Sponsored Events
1) Urban Gardener Certification Program (Three openings left!)
Tuesdays, 6:00-8:00pm, March 6, March 20, Apr 10, Apr 24, May 8, May 22, June 5, June 19
The Urban Gardener Certification program features 8 sessions of instruction in basic yard & greenhouse gardening skills appropriate for high density, small lot neighborhoods such as those on Lansing’s Eastside and the raised beds in Hunter Park GardenHouse. Participants will have hands-on instruction as we plant and care for a garden together over the length of the program. The course involves eight classes in the GardenHouse and the Allen Neighborhood Center. This program is intended for beginner-intermediate gardeners. (For advanced gardeners, please watch for our Advanced Urban Gardener Series held in the fall.)
To apply for a slot in the class, please complete the application form (available online and in the GardenHouse, and Allen Neighborhood Center) and send to ANC. Space is limited, only three spots out of 25 are left!! For more information, contact Rita O'Brien at 517-999-3910 or ri...@allenneighborhoodcenter.org
2) All About Soil
Saturday, March 17, 12:30-2:00 pm.
A productive garden starts with the soil. Join Matthew McDermott from Slow Lane Farm and learn the basics of soil preparation and maintenance. Bring a sample of your garden soil to examine and explore! This workshop is free, but a suggested donation of $5 is welcome. Make this year's garden the best ever. Please register by calling Rita at 517-999-3910 or email ri...@allenneighborhoodcenter.org
3) Gardeners’ Roundtable
Every Sunday, 12:30 – 1:30 pm. at the Hunter Park GardenHouse. Are you suffering ‘gardener’s withdrawal’? Missing the smell of green and growing things as you trudge across last year’s back yard vegetable garden? Come join us any (and every) Sunday to swap gardening stories, drink in the smells of soil and green plants, and share ideas, tips, and occasionally seeds. Gardeners of all levels of experience are invited to wander over for relaxed and informal conversation, leaf through our seed catalogues, and enjoy a cup of tea.
Other Community Events
4) ENO Meeting Partners with City on Public Hearing on Proposed Downtown Casino
On Wednesday evening, March 7th, the ENO meeting will be
used to host
the Lansing City Council's Information and Public Comment session on the
proposed casino in downtown Lansing.
There will be an abbreviated ENO
meeting from 5:30 to 6:00 and the City Council starting their
presentation at 6:00.
5) Tiles with Mark Dehetre
Adult Studio Workshop (3 day workshop) presented by Lansing Art Gallery
Thursday, March 14, 21 & 28, 6 - 9 PM
Clay: Create a series of finished tiles. Explore various aspects of inspiration, design, and execution of clay tiles. Students will complete two finished tiles.
119 N. Washington Square, www.lansingartgallery.org, (517) 374-06400
$100. (members) or $110. (non-members)
6) Third Thursday Gardener Potluck
Thursday, March 15, 6pm-8pm, at the Hunter Park GardenHouse. Bring a dish to share and join us for the kick-off of wonderful once-per-month, travelling potlucks. Sponsored by our friends at the Garden Project.
7) 80s Flashback to Benefit REACH
You're invited to dance, celebrate, and help REACH expand into a new facility.
Who: Capital Area Women’s LifeStyle Magazine, community members, business owners, 80s lovers and more. Plus, the popular 80s cover band Starfarm will keep the crowd rockin’ all night long! There will also be finger foods, a cash bar, big-hair station, video game room, poker and much more!
What: Second annual 80s Flashback Fundraiser.
When: Saturday, March 24, 2012, 7:00 p.m. - midnight
Where: The University Club, Henry Center, 3435 Forest Road, Lansing
Why: Who doesn’t love to party like it’s1989? Plus, all that big hair and acid wash will be for a good cause, helping REACH Studio Art Center grow!
Ticket Prices
Single tickets: $30.00
Couples tickets: $50.00
Student tickets: $15.00
8) Build Your Own Worm Bin at Fenner
On March 24th, from 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm, learn how to “Build Your Own Worm Bin”. Worm composting, also called “Vermicomposting” is a great way to recycle kitchen scraps and reduce waste. Participants will construct their own worm bin and leave this workshop ready to create fantastic fertilizer that can be used on houseplants and in the garden. The cost is $30 for Lansing residents and $35 for non-residents. All supplies are included.
9) Garden Leaders Training
Saturday,
March 24, Foster Community Center, Room 213
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 training series is essential!
Must attend all four classes to complete certification. Classes are 9 a.m. -
noon, with an optional pot-luck lunch until 1 p.m. Presented by The Garden
Project of the Greater Lansing Food Bank. Contact: garden...@greaterlansingfoodbank.org
or (517) 853-7809
10) Creative Tots: Art Exploration for Preschoolers (from REACH)
We still have room! Make art at REACH & keep the mess
away from home! Creative Tots sessions are for children ages 2-5 and a parent
or guardian. Tots play and learn to be creative using tactile materials,
small and large motor skills, and art supplies. They make anything from puppets
to paintings to sculptures. It is a great introduction to the arts for your
child. And, a way for you both to have fun and learn together.
Sign up for our upcoming classes!
Session E: Apr 13 ‐ May 11 (Fridays) 10:30 – 11:15
Session F: Apr 14 ‐ May 12 (Saturdays) 9:45 – 10:30
Register on our website HERE.
Tots sessions are for ages 2-5, with one parent (1 year-olds
welcome at parent's discretion)
$25 for first child
$10 additional sibling (any age)
$5 additional sibling (any age)
11) Komen Race for the Cure.
Join ANC’s Race for the Cure Team on Sunday, April 29th, in support of breast cancer services, research and awareness. (Note: 75% of money raised in mid-Michigan stays in mid-Michigan). ANC is starting to recruit members early in an effort to have a great team! We have a blast each year on this walk; a wonderful time is guaranteed! To sign up for Allen Neighborhood Center’s team go to: http:www.komenmidmichigan.org/ - click on register today, then click on join existing team and type in Allen Neighborhood Center! Please consider sponsoring a neighbor. We have many who would like to walk but can’t afford the $20.
Ongoing Offerings
12) Selection of the next Superintendent of Lansing Schools
As I'm sure you know, the Lansing School District
is currently going through a lot of change. Probably the single biggest
decision we have looming is who will be the new Superintendent. This
person will help guide our district into the future, and we truly need a
community effort in order to find a dynamic leader. Please take a few
minutes to complete the survey at the link below.
Thank you for your time and helping the Lansing School District
move toward a successful future! Please share this survey with as many
people as you can!
Sincerely,
Nicole Armbruster
http://support.lansingschools.net/survey.htm
13) Request for Assistance from Greater Lansing Food Bank
As many of you know the Greater Lansing Food Bank is merging with the Mid-Michigan Food Bank to provide more efficient and effective service to the greater Lansing area. We're really excited about the merger as we're moving more food, faster and better to people that need it. The Mid-Michigan Food Bank has been recieving large donations of produce and dairy. However, they do not have enough volunteers to sort through the donations and prepare them to be delivered to those in need, which results in good food going to waste. A lot of food.
We need volunteers to help sort through the bins and organize the dairy and produce, occasionally re-bagging/boxing, sometimes checking expiration dates. We don't have a time set yet, but are looking to see which of the below times work best for people. We are looking at a shift on both Tuesday and Thursday, we just don't know which shift, yet.
If you can help, let me know what times would work best for you, once I hear back, we'll lock down a time and go from there.
Times - Tue. & Thu. 10:00 a.m.-noon or 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Location - Mid-Michigan Food Bank
Any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. If you know more people that may want to lend a hand, please encourage them to contact me.
Alex Bryan, Volunteer and Outreach Coordinator 517-853-7808
14) Farm
to Table Workshop Series
This spring Capital Area District Library (CADL) is presenting a variety of
lectures and workshops on farm to table topics. We are especially excited for
AmeriCorps member John Bolan's three-part Herb Gardening series and Corie
Jason’s presentation on Back Yard Chickens! For more details on this series and
many more offerings, visit www.cadl.org/news/farmtotable.
15) New Everyday Digital Classes from ITEC
ITEC has new classes beginning in late February and early March. For details, contact Sarah Szwejda, Program Manager, ITEC (Information Technology Empowerment Center), 200 North Foster Avenue, Lansing, MI 48912, (517) 708-4392, www.iteclansing.org
16) Lansing
Marathon
Lansing is hosting its inaugural Marathon on Sunday, April 22. South Lansing CDA is proud
to be a partner organization, especially since a significant portion of the
26.2 mile course will be on the south side! We're also proud that the marathon
will feature many ecologically sustainable practices like locally sourced food
and recyclable materials. Not coincidentally, the race is being held on Earth
Day.
Race director Owen Anderson is dedicated to helping people get active,
and he is hosting several free run/walk clinics in South
Lansing.
• Mondays at 6 p.m., Owen leads a walking clinic for all ages, abilities, and
experience
• Wednesdays at 4 p.m., Owen teaches a free running class for kids aged 7-13
• Wednesdays at 5:15 p.m., he hosts a running clinic.
All are held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 549 E Mt Hope Ave, Lansing
48910.
For more information on the Marathon, how to
register or volunteer, visit LansingMarathon.com
17) Request from League of MI Bicyclists
LMB is extremely pleased that the recently published
Michigan State Rail Plan makes clear recommendations that bicycles need to be
accommodated on Michigan
passenger trains. LMB thanks the Michigan Department of Transportation for
recognizing this need. We also thank all of our supporters who responded to our
call to submit comments to the rail plan this past year.
We now are asking for your help again to ensure that these
recommendations are acted on promptly. Please sign our petition urging Amtrak
to implement roll-on bicycle service on all Michigan service routes as they have already
done in other states.
SIGN THE PETITION HERE:
http://www.change.org/petitions/amtrak-superintendent-passenger-services-central-division-allow-bicycles-on-michigan-passenger-trains
18) Knee High Naturalist at Fenner- Ongoing
“Knee High Naturalist” runs every Wednesday from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm and every Thursday from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. Parents are encouraged to bring their children between ages 2 and 5 for an exciting playgroup featuring a different nature theme each week that will be explored with a hike, crafts, and a story. The cost is $5 per child.
The first Saturday of each month, join our resident librarian from 1:00 pm-2:00 pm for “Nature Story Hour”. Families are welcome to join us for a nature story geared towards 4-6 year olds followed by a craft and video. Cost is free.
Pre-registration is strongly encouraged, as space is limited for some programs.
For more information as well as on-line registration, visit us on the web at www.mynaturecenter.org. Or call us at 517.483.4224
19) REACH Teen Studio Community Art Projects, or CAPs, will work with 15 to 20 Lansing Area teenagers and local artists to design and fabricate public art for 5 or more selected places around Lansing. Using three hour weekly teen studio after school sessions at REACH Studio from October 2011 – June 2012, the teens will meet with Lansing area artists and solicit ideas for, choose, design and implement community art projects creating place-making art around Lansing. For more information or to submit a proposal, call (517) 999-3643.
20) Parenting Group
Offered by The Women’s Center of Greater Lansing
Lecture and Group Discussion each week for those with children of all ages.
Each Saturday, 10am - 11am
Call to Register at: 517-372-9163
Where: Women’s Center of Greater Lansing, Conference room upstairs
1710-1712 E. Michigan Ave, Lansing 48912
21) Do You Dream of Owning A Home?
Habitat for Humanity Lansing is a housing organization with the goal
of eliminating substandard housing. We build and rehab decent, affordable homes
in partnership with local qualified home buyers. To be selected, you must be
living in substandard housing, meet our income requirements, and be willing to
help build your house and other houses that we are working on. Once your house
is complete you buy it from us at ZERO percent interest mortgage. The mortgage
payment is based on your income, keeping the home affordable for you! For more
information call Ashley at (517) 374-1313 x 21 or visit www.habitatlansing.org
22)
FREE Introduction to Computers
Every Tuesday, 2:30 - 4 p.m., Capital Area Michigan Works!, 2110 S. Cedar St.
Professionals from Career Quest instruct attendees in the basics
everyone needs to be comfortable with computers.
23) 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
24) Quote of the Week
“I rejoice to live in such a splendidly disturbing time!” Helen Keller
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!! Note: No Meditation or Tai Chi class on February 4!
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!
Gardeners Roundtable
Every Sunday, 12:30-1:30pm at the Hunter Park GardenHouse
Are you suffering ‘gardener’s withdrawal’? Missing the smell of green and growing things as you trudge across last year’s back yard vegetable garden, now covered with crunchy snow? Come join us any (and every) Sunday at the GardenHouse to swap gardening stories, drink in the smell of soil and green plants, share ideas, tips, and occasionally seeds and plants. Gardeners of any level of experience or skill are invited to wander on over for relaxed and informal conversations, leaf through our seed catalogues, and enjoy a cup of tea. RSVP with Rita at ri...@allenneighborhoodcenter.org or 517-999-3910.
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
Winter
Activities Guide
Looking for fun activities for the whole family this winter? Check
out the Lansing Parks and Recreation Winter 2012 Activities Guide! Discover special winter
events, find open gym/swim times, register for sports (all ages), learn a
new culinary skill, and much more!
2012 Weekly Warm Up
The Community Partners in Health’s 2012 Winter Warm-Up is an entirely FREE program which offers resources for the development of positive habits of physical activity and healthy eating within one’s daily routine. The 8-week program provides tools, information and the support-network for you to do just that – all within your own community! Experts say identifying a positive routine and sticking with it for 21 days will initiate a “habit.” Why not make health and wellness your best new habit of 2012? The Community Partners in Health believe by working together we can and will move mid-Michigan communities toward being the healthiest in Michigan!
View the program flyer at www.cphlansing.com/docs/2012WWU/12-6-11%20WWU%20Weekly%20Theme%20Calendar.pdf
--
Joan Nelson, Director
Allen Neighborhood Center
1619 E. Kalamazoo St., Lansing, MI 48912
517-999-3912