Active Neighboring News: Holiday Events (including CATA rides on New Years Eve), Recycling, Kwanzaa, and yes, Gardening!
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 22, 2011
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
This is the final Active Neighboring News of 2011. All of us at ANC wish you a delightful, healthy holiday and look forward to seeing you in the New Year!
1) New Holiday Drop in at REACH Studio on THURSDAY
2) New Special Winter Solstice Yoga on THURSDAY
3) New Advent House Christmas Breakfast on SUNDAY
4) New Trash and Recycling next week
5) New Wonderland of Lights – ongoing
6) St. Stephens Celebrates Kwanzaa on 12/26
7) New CATA encourages safe drive home on New Year’s Eve
8) CATA Service over the holidays
9) Prostate Cancer Forum at Sparrow on 1/12
10) Changes with ITEC’s Every Digital Classes beginning in January
11) New NECESSARY on 1/13-14
12) Garden Leaders Training beginning in January
13) Rebuilding Together Applications due 1/20
14) Recycle
Old Meds on 1/28
15)
Survey/Gardening Needs of People with Disabilities
16) Bea Christy Dinner on Feb. 10-Save the Date!
Ongoing Offerings
17) New Are You Aware that…..
18) New Winter Activities Guide
19) New Snow Angels
20) National Parks Mystery Book
21) Winter and Holiday Safety Tips from LPD
22) Free Intro to Computers at MI Works
23) Asset Independence Coalition Offers Free Tax Prep
24) Mid-Day Movies (Free)
25) Quote of the Week
1) Holiday Drop-In Art Session at Reach Studio
Art Center
Thursday, December 22 2:30-4:30 p.m. (517) 999-3643, www.reachstudioart.org
Come paint, draw, collage, print, make cards, and more. No preregistration is necessary. Come and make art yourself, with friends and with family!
2) Special
Winter Solstice Yoga at Just B Yoga
Thursday, December 22 from 6-8 p.m.
Dec. 22 is the Winter Solstice. Salute
the sun, the community and your own spirit with our specially yoga led practice
of 108 sun salutations. We will talk you through alignment and spiritual
encouragement. You don’t even have to keep count, the instructor will keep tabs
on the progress of the group.
$15 w/reception to follow. Sign up on
our website! www.justbyoga.com
3) Advent House - Annual Community
Christmas Breakfast
Sunday, December 25, 2011, 8:00
a.m. – Noon, Advent House Ministries, 743 N. MLK
The menu will include: omelets, eggs made to order, waffles,
bacon, sausage, ham and various other breakfast items. There will be gifts for
all and, gifts that children can select for their parents. This event is
free to all members of the Lansing Community so come and celebrate a memorable
Christmas Breakfast. Transportation will be provided to those that need it.
If you need a ride please call Human Relations & Community Services
at 517-485-4477.
4) Trash and Recycling Service
The City of Lansing's
trash and recycling collections will remain on a normal schedule throughout the
week of Christmas. Residents contracting
with private refuse haulers are urged to check with their collection companies
for possible scheduling changes.
For more information, contact the City of Lansing Capital Area Recycling & Trash at
483-4400 or rec...@lansingmi.gov or
visit www.lansingrecycles.com.
5) Wonderland of Lights
Thursdays-Sundays , 5:00-8:00p, Potter Park Zoo
Wonderland of Lights celebrates its 19th year at PPZ! Come
experience the zoo by night with a stroll illuminated by tens of thousands of
lights. Each night guests will be treated to special animal presentations,
cookie decorating, craft stations and more. Special musical guests and events
are featured. Admission is $4.00 for adults, $2.00 for kids (ages 3-16). Phone:
(517)342-2710, Website: http://www.potterparkzoo.org
6) Kwanzaa at St. Stephen’s
Umoja: Unity, Monday, December 26, 2011, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
St. Stephen's Community Church, United Church of Christ, 1007 Kimberly Drive Lansing, MI 48912 (Near the former AAA Building at Chester Street) (517) 484-2180
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Freya Rivers
**Light refreshments will be served!**
**Meet our new pastor**: Dr. Pamelajune “Pastor PJ” Anderson
FREE!!! All Are welcome!! For more information, please call (517) 484-2180
7) CATA ENCOURAGES SAFE RIDES HOME ON NEW YEAR’S EVE
The Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA), in cooperation with the Lansing Area Safety Council, will once again offer curb-to-curb transportation on New Year’s Eve. “CATA is committed to providing safe transportation on New Year’s Eve,” stated CATA’s CEO/Executive Director Sandy Draggoo. “The Safe Ride Home program has served the community for over 25 years and we hope people will take advantage of this service to make it safer on the roads for all.” CATA’s Safe Ride Home program averages approximately 250 rides each year.
Those desiring a ride home should call CATA at (517) 394-CATA (2282) between the hours of 7 p.m. and 3 a.m. on New Year’s Eve. Passengers will be picked up and taken home between the hours of 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. on a first-come-first-served basis. Safe Ride Home buses travel as far north as Sheridan Road to Dobie Road on the east, Holt Road on the south and Waverly Road on the west. Regular $1.25 CATA fares apply to this service with discounted 60-cent fares for students, seniors, anyone showing a Medicare card, and persons with disabilities. EXACT CASH FARES REQUIRED
On New Year’s Eve, CATA fixed-route buses and Spec-Tran will end service early. All fixed-routes that provide Saturday evening service will make their last trips no later than 6:15 p.m. For route-by-route final departure times and locations, visit CATA’s Web site at cata.org, email in...@cata.org, or contact CATA’s Customer Service at (517) 394-1000. Spec-Tran will provide rides up to 6:15 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.
The Spec-Tran office will remain open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on New Year’s Day to schedule rides after January 1, 2012. The Spec-Tran phone number is (517) 394-CATA (2282). All CATA services will resume regular schedules on Monday, Jan. 2, 2012.
8) CATA SERVICE DURING CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS
In observance of Christmas and New Year’s Day, CATA will not operate services on Sunday, Dec. 25, 2011 or Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012. The Spec-Tran office will remain open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both Christmas and New Year’s Day to schedule rides after Dec. 25, 2011 and Jan.1, 2012, respectively. The Spec-Tran phone number is (517) 394-CATA (2282).
On both Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, fixed-route buses and Spec-Tran will end service early. All fixed routes that provide regular Saturday evening service will depart for their last trips no later than 6:15 p.m. The 10 routes that normally travel to the CATA Transportation Center (CTC) on Saturday evenings will depart the CTC for the last time at their regular departure time of 6 p.m. or 6:15 p.m. Routes 1, 8, and 9 inbound buses will also be en route to the CTC at approximately the same time.
Routes 20, 22, 23 will depart from the MSU/CATA Transportation Center at 5:45 p.m. and Route 26 at 6 p.m. All four routes will end service upon return to the MSU/CTC.
Routes 24 and 25 will depart from MSU’s Ramp 5 at 5:55 p.m. and 5:27 p.m. respectively and end service upon return to Ramp 5.
Entertainment Express will not operate on Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve.
Spec-Tran rides will be scheduled only up to 6:15 p.m. on both days.
For route-by-route final fixed-route departure times, visit CATA’s Web site at cata.org or contact CATA Customer Service at (517) 394-1000. All CATA services will resume regular schedules on Monday, Dec. 26, 2011 and Jan. 2, 2012.
9) Prostate Cancer Education Forum at Sparrow Hospital
As a pre-Holiday Observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Capital Area United Way, Sparrow Cancer Center, UAW Local 4911, the A. Philip Randolph Institute, the Phi Beta Sigma fraternity, Black Men Incorporated of Greater Lansing, GLAAHI, and the Prostate Cancer Support Group of Mid Michigan have joined together to inform citizens of the Greater Lansing Area about prostate cancer, especially African American men who seem to suffer particularly from this disease. The forum will take place at the Sparrow Hospital’s St. Lawrence Campus, 1210 W. Saginaw in Lansing on Thursday, January 12, 2012. Admission is free and it is open to the public. Time: 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. There will also be prostate cancer literature and other health materials on display for the taking. Registration is required. The forum will feature an internist, a radiation oncologist, and a urologist, as well as prostate cancer survivors. Attendees will leave with an increased awareness about the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer, nutrition, and making an informed decision. Please see the attachments for details or call 517.203.5022 for more information or to reserve a seat.
10) ITEC Changes
For January, the classes vary depending on the student's goals. If workforce training is the goal, then the "8-Week Session, January 10 to March 1, 2011- Tuesday/Thursday- 9:30-11:30 am" would be best.
If a quick overview of computer usage is the goal, for the student's own personal interest, then the "4-Week Session, January 9 to February 1, 2011- Mon/Wed- 6:30-8:30 pm" would be best.
We also offer a "Advanced 4-Week Session, February 6 to February 29, 2011- Mon/Wednesday- 6:30-8:30 pm that is an Introduction to Microsoft Office.
Students can register by calling us at 517-708-4392 or sending e-mail to ever...@iteclansing.org. Classes are offered at the Foster Community Center on Lansing's Eastside.
11) NECESSARY!
The Capital Area District Library is hosting a special exhibit in honor of Black History on January 13 and 14. The exhibit, called NECESSARY! is curated by the Black History 101 Mobile Museum (www.blackhistory101mobilemuseum.com/).
Necessary! focuses on the legacy of revolutionary leader Malcolm X and features over 150 historical artifacts from Malcolm X’s life and work, including rare photographs, magazine covers, and relics of racism from America’s past.
For further information, contact Elizabeth Breed at 517-367-6348, bre...@cadl.org
12) Free 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
13) 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. For 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/
14) Recycle Old Meds
Date: January 28, 2012, Southside Community Center, 5825 Wise Rd
(between Jolly and Miller), Time: 9am-1pm, Free for Ingham County
Residents
Bring pharaceuticals to this special collection, instead of flushing
them or throwing them in the trash. Medications are being found in our
nation’s waters. Not flushing meds down the drain ensures they do not end
up in the drinking water or surface water.
15) Surveys to Learn about Gardening Needs/Interests of People with Disabilities
In 2011 the Garden Project of the Greater Lansing Food Bank
received a grant from the Michigan Disability Rights Coalition/Michigan
Developmental Disability Council entitled Including Our Neighbors (ION). The
aim of the program is to install easily accessible community garden beds or
facilitate other improvements to make community gardens more accessible for
disabled gardeners.
The Project brings together local community partners in an Advisory
Committee to coordinate and administer the grant. We would like your assistance
in distributing and collecting surveys to help us learn about the needs of
people with disabilities and their involvement in community gardens and other
activities. We are also interested in learning about ways you or your
organization may like to be involved in this Project. Any questions or comments
can be submitted to Anne Rauscher at the Garden Project by phone (517) 853-7809 or email
an...@thegreaterlansingfoodbank.org.
The Committee will collect surveys through January 2012, and will be
soliciting grant applications through February 2012. Please distribute the
following survey to anyone who would be interested in providing input on issues
of inclusion for people with disability in community activities. The survey is
available online at: http://svy.mk/vwpmJ8.
Or download a Word-formatted paper version of the survey here: http://bit.ly/w2Og2w
Inclusion Survey: Community Gardens and Activities
16) 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
17) Are You Aware That….. Every High School and Middle School in the Lansing School District now offers either Japanese or Mandarin Chinese language courses? Gardner Middle School and Lansing STEM Academy offer Japanese in grades 6th through 8th. Everett and Sexton High Schools offer Japanese in grades 9th through 12th. Otto and Pattengill Middle Schools offer Mandarin in grades 6th through 8th and Eastern High School offers Mandarin in grades 9th through 12th.
18) 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!
19) FREE Snow Angels
Calling all good neighbors! With a newly-enforced snow ordinance
helping to keep our sidewalks safe, it’s important to remember that some
neighbors have a hard time getting outside to shovel snow. That’s where
the Snow Angels come in. Snow Angels are volunteers willing to help those
who are physically unable to shovel. Volunteer as much or as little as you are
able. This is a great opportunity for older scout troops, service clubs,
honor societies, youth groups, and high school students looking to earn service
hours for college applications. It's also a great family opportunity to
teach the value of helping neighbors in need. Will you help? Click here to sign up. If you have questions or know of
anyone needing assistance in clearing snow, please contact Joe Manzella at j...@manzella.us
20) National
Parks Mystery Books
Mary Morgan, a long-time Lansing
resident just had the first in her series of children's mystery books
published, just in time to make the perfect gift! The
book introduces National Parks to children who may or may not ever get
there, and attaches a solvable mystery. It is geared for children ages
8-12. It has the endorsement of Rosa Thill, principal at Averill Elementary School
for the history and geography content, and it has the endorsement of a cub
scout leader for the positive components of scouting which are also included.
This one takes place in MI's Upper Peninsula
and is titled, "Stolen Treasures at Pictured Rocks". It is a fun and
easy read, but it is a page turner all the way through. Those who have read it
can't put it down, adults included. They are $7.95 plus
$.48 tax. Mary's website is: www.nationalparkmysteries.com
21) WINTER SAFETY TIPS/HOLIDAY SHOPPING TIPS from LPD
The Lansing Police Department would like to remind Lansing Citizens to use care and caution while traveling in these conditions:
· Plan ahead-Give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination. Slippery road conditions are not friendly to excessive speeds.
· Prioritize travels-Consider not commuting by vehicle for those travels that are not necessary.
· Prepare for immobility- Make sure you are prepared in the occasion you are stranded in your vehicle.
· *Make sure your cellular phone is properly charged, a battery charger is the vehicle is recomended.
· *Make sure your vehicle has proper emergency signals working properly (hazard lights.)
· *Equip you vehicle (trunk) with items such as (1) a shovel, (2) Snow and Ice Salt (3) Reflectors to illuminate around your vehicle (4) Dry clothes.
HOLIDAY SHOPPING SAFETY TIPS FROM LPD
· The holiday shopping season is under way and the Lansing Police Department would like to provide the citizens of Lansing with some holiday shopping safety tips:
· Shop during daylight hours. If you must shop at night be sure to shop with a family member or friend.
· Do not carry purse or wallet where visible to others.
· Carry proper identification. A cashier or teller that is doing their job properly will ask for proper identification when making purchases by cash or credit card.
· Be aware of your surroundings. Make sure to note where you parked your car in the parking lot as to prevent giving the appearance you are lost or confused.
· Don't carry large amounts of cash. If you must shop with cash make sure to carry small increments in different pockets.
· Don't carry too many items with you such as large packages that may obstruct your vision and gives focus to a thief of vulnerability.
INTERNET SHOPPING
· Use credit cards instead of debit cards. Federal Law sets a liability of $50 for unathorized charges on your credit card.
· When shopping online try and use only one credit card for ease of tracking your online purchases which will make it easier for you to track disputed charges with you credit card issuer.
· Keep a record of all your online purchases and double-check your online purchases with your credit card statement.
· Research websites that you are making purchases from. Most legitimate websites will provide a contact with a toll free telephone number that you can call and speak with a person.
· Never give out personal or financial information online, through the mail or over the phone unless you are 100% sure of their legitimacy.
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) 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.
25) Quote of the Week
"When the number of factors coming into play in a phenomenological complex is too large, scientific method in most cases fails. One need only think of the weather, in which case the prediction even for a few days ahead is impossible." Albert Einstein
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