Schor Lansing Community Update - Final 2013 Edition

Community Update/Events

Lansing City Market’s 2013 celebrate the Season
The Lansing City Market’s 2013 celebrate the Season schedule for the holiday’s features Christmas and Kwanzaa celebrations. On Saturday, December 21there will be live music with “Lil Dittie” and free slight rides along the River Trail. Kwanzaa will be celebrated on Saturday, December 28th with live music by Charles Meyers & Shabazz Academy. The food feature is red beans and rice along with craft making of place mats. For more information, visit www.lansingcitymarket.com.

Lansing City Market Family Education Days
Each week (on Thursdays at 5:00 p.m.), the Lansing City Market Family Education Days program features different topics for adults and children. All programing is free. Families with young kids might enjoy features scheduled for 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (such as food sample, a nutrition lesson, and games). Live music is also scheduled at noon every Friday and every Saturday at 11:00 a.m.

Lansing Parks & Recreation Winter-Spring Activities
The Lansing Parks & Recreation Winter-Spring 2014 Activities Guide has details about a variety of recreational activities for all ages. Online registration is available for classes and the many featured activities planned between January and June of 2014. Register for offerings online at www.lansingmi.gov/parks. For questions call (517) 483-4277.

Senior Activities at the Letts and Schmidt Community Centers
Seniors meet daily from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Letts Center (1220 W. Kalamazoo Street; (517) 483-4311) and the Alfreda Schmidt Center (585 Wise Road; (517) 483-6685). There will be ongoing programs which include table games such as BINGO, bridge, card games, movies and birthday celebrations, discussion groups and special guest speakers. The Tri-County Office on Aging provides nutritional meals that are served at noon Monday-Friday at Letts and Tuesday through Friday at the Schmidt Center. Interested individuals should call the appropriate center number listed above.

V.I.T.A Income Tax Assistance (Adults)
Beginning January 25th through April 12th, 2014, students from Michigan State University and IRS Certified volunteer preparers from the Asset Independence Coalition will provide free income tax assistance in completing the city, state and federal income tax returns. This service is offered for persons and families that earn less than $51,000 per year. Appointments will be Mondays and Wednesdays between 5:00 and 8:00 p.m. at the Foster Community Center. Interested individuals must make an appointment for assistance (no walk-ins or businesses will be accepted). Call 211 beginning January 25, 2014 to make an appointment.

Free Family Fun Fridays
Family Fun Fridays will be held each first Friday of the month for family fun and fitness at the local community centers beginning February 7th through May 2nd, 2014. See the online schedule listing for times and dates by visiting www.lansingfirstfridays.com. This event is sponsored by Rec-Connect (getting families in touch with free and low cost physically active opportunities in the community). For questions call (517) 483-4277.

Capitol Area District Library (CADL) Adult Workshops
The CADL offers a variety of workshops with great resources for adults. Below are some upcoming offerings, but feel free to review all of their scheduled events at cadl.org/events.

Drop-In Tutoring Assistance
Drop-In Tutoring Assistance is available for student’s grades k-12 at the Downtown CADL, 401 S. Capitol Avenue, on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 5-7pm and Fridays 3-5:45 pm. Get assistance to improve your skills with reading, writing and math. College students will be on hand for one-on-one assistance in the Children’s area.

Drop-In Assistance for Adults
Free Assistance for Adults is offered Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1:30-4:30 p.m. at the Downtown Lansing Library (401 S. Capitol Avenue). Interested individuals are invited to get help with job applications, computers, and letter writing from the Capital Area Literacy Coalition.

Mid-Day Movies at the Library
Each Tuesday at 2pm, the Downtown Lansing Library at 401 S. Capitol Avenue will feature a suggested movie for adults in the auditorium. Stop in or call 517-367-6363 for movie titles or cadl.org.

Valentine Make and Take
Come out and express yourself by making a special valentine for the special people in your life on Saturday, February 8th at the Foster CADL. This activity is for all ages and supplies are provided by the Friends of Lansing Libraries. This event is scheduled for “Open hours;” call (517) 485-5185 for more details.

The Allen Street Farmers Market
The Allen Street Farmers Market goes indoors this winter, kicking off their first winter season at the Allen Market Place. They are available each Wednesday from 3-6:30pm to enable year-round access to all for fresh fruits, vegetables and baked goods. The Allen Market Place entrance is located behind the Allen Neighborhood Center parking lot between Allen and Shepard Streets.

2014 Organic Farmer Training Program at Michigan State University Student Organic Farm!
Apply now for the 2014 Organic Farmer Training Program. The Organic Farmer Training Program offers nine months of intensive instruction in year-round organic farming. The program focuses on diversified production of vegetables, livestock, flowers, fruits and herbs for local markets. Participants manage all aspects of a 15-acre certified organic farm. Scholarships are available, based on merit and need. Visit the website for full program description and application: http://msuorganicfarm.org/organic-farmer-training-program and contact: msufarm@msu.edu or ( 517)-230-7987.

Misc.
Ingham County Land Bank
Eric Schertzing, Ingham County Treasurer and Land Bank Chairman, has announced some amazing opportunities for families of lower household incomes to own a home. There are 27 renovated or new homes in Lansing for people who are at 50% of the Area Median Income or below (for example, a family of four (4) earning $33,000 or less). To help prepare for home ownership, contact the Center for Financial Health Home Buyer’s Club by calling (517) 708-2550 or visiting www.centerforfinancialhealth.org.

Seeking Ingham Conservation District Board Members
The Ingham Conservation District (ICD) has an opening for its 5-member Board of Directors. There are also openings for Associate Board Members. All Board Members must be residents of Ingham County and have a passion for natural resource conservation. Membership involves attending monthly board meetings, special events and sharing your expertise the District. Associate members are active, but non-voting members. For more information call 517-676-2290

CFL Recycling Sites
For a listing of convenient recycling sites for free recycling and to drop off of your used CFLs visit the Lansing Board of Water & Light website (www.lbwl.com/energySavers). Individuals can also call (800) 573-3503 to learn about more ways to enjoy energy savings.

Computer Classes
The Lansing Neighborhood Council is offering basic computer classes to all neighborhood groups and residents. Enrollees will learn about Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, and more. Call (517) 393-9883 to schedule a one-on-one class.

Neighborhood Association Meetings & Announcements
Our area's neighborhood association meetings generally consist of discussion on neighborhood-related issues (often with the Lansing Police Department) and visits from political figures, code compliance officers, etc. They're also excellent opportunities for networking with neighbors in the area and advocating for concerns and needs to city of Lansing. If you are not sure which Neighborhood Association you are affiliated with contact the Lansing Neighborhood Council office at LNCneighbors@gmail.com or by calling (517) 393-9883.

Consumer Tips
Did you know that the Michigan Public Service Commission Customer Support Section features monthly newsletters? Newsletters are full of consumer tips and brochures provide information on important utility topics such as reducing energy use, bill payment assistance programs, selecting a long distance telephone company, and reducing telemarketing sales calls. New publications are created as consumer needs are identified or new services become available. Visit Consumer Tips at: http://www.michigan.gov/mpsc/0,4639,7-159-16368_16408---,00.html.
Free One-On-One Financial Counseling
The Lansing Financial Empowerment Center continues to offer free one-on-one financial counseling. Instruction is designed to help participants take control of their debt, improve their credit, create a budget, find safe and affordable bank products, and more. Counseling sessions are offered at Capital Area Community Services, Ingham Department of Human Services, Tabernacle of David Church, Advent House Ministries, and Head Start Grand River. Call 211 or (866) 561-2500 to make an appointment.

Money Power TV Show
The Lansing Financial Empowerment Center has launched a new television program called "Money Power!" This show encourages and empowers Lansing residents to take steps to improve their financial health. The new shows will air on Lansing’s City-TV, which is located on Channel 12 for Comcast subscribers in the city. Money Power episodes will also be available “on demand” at http://vimeo.com/channels/560331. For more information, go to www.lansingmi.gov/media/view/money_power/5763.