8. New! Good Food Summit (Thursday, February 25, Register Now)
9. Garden Education Collaborative
10. Hawk Island Triathlon (Sunday, June 6, Register Now)
1. New! School District Magnet Fair
Saturday, February 6, 1-4 p.m., Don Johnson Field House, Eastern High School
The Magnet Fair is the kick off event for the 2010-2011 Lansing School District magnet enrollment period. The Magnet Fair features hands-on learning areas highlighting all 10 magnet schools. See the effectiveness of themed education in action. The event also features non-stop student entertainment and free parenting information.
2. Planning Your Gardening Year
Thursday, February 11, 6:30-8 pm, Southside Community Center (5825 Wise Rd.)
Did you know that an important part of vegetable gardening happens in the dead of winter? It’s the very necessary planning and perusing, designing and drawing, dreaming and scheming, all done indoors where it’s warm and snug! At this workshop, led by Linda Anderson, you will learn when different garden tasks should be done throughout the year, how to decide what to plant, and how to lay out your vegetable garden. There will be time at the workshop for you to dig in and get started on your plans, with access to lots of garden catalogs and books as well as experienced gardeners to answer your questions. Come get a jump on the 2010 gardening year! To register, email Rita@southlansing.org.
3. New! Church Dinners Everywhere!!
Friday, February 12, 6-8 p.m., Christ United Methodist Church (517 W. Jolly Rd.)
Swiss Steak Dinner: Swiss steak and gravy, mashed potatoes, vegetable, coleslaw, rolls, fresh baked dessert, beverages. Cost is $8/adults, $5/kids 5-12, under 5 free. Proceeds are split between the Southside Community Kitchen and the church. 517-394-2727.
Saturday, February 13, 9 a.m. - 12 noon, Faith United Methodist Church (4301 S. Waverly Rd.)
Pancake Breakfast: All-you-can-eat buttermilk pancakes, sausage, egg casserole, hash browns, fruit, beverages. Donations accepted. Proceeds will be used for a new roof on the church. 517-882-0661.
Saturday, February 13, 5-6:30 p.m., Mayflower Congregational Church (2901 W. Mt. Hope)
Second Saturday Supper: Roast chicken, mashed potatoes, vegetable, rolls, dessert, and beverages. Cost is $8/adults and $4/children. 517-484-3139.
Tuesday, February 16, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Mayflower Congregational Church (2901 W. Mt. Hope)
Fat Tuesday Pancake Dinner: Pancakes, sausage, applesauce, and beverage. Prepared by the Mayflower men! Cost is $4/adults and $2.50/children. Proceeds support church missions. 517-484-3139.
Thursday, February 18, 6-8 p.m., Redeemer Lutheran Church (2727 W. Holmes Rd.)
All-you-can-eat Taco Dinner: Tacos, beans, rice, beverages, and ice cream. Cost is $7/adults and $3/children 10 and under. 517-882-8000.
4. New! Community Garden Interest Meeting
Saturday, February 13, 1-2:30 p.m., Lansing Fire Station #46 (5135 Pleasant Grove Rd)
Attention Southside Residents! Are you interested in community gardening? There are several new garden sites opening in South Lansing this spring. Join us for an informal discussion to ignite your garden goals and dreams! Start by completing the South Lansing Community Garden Survey at http://bit.ly/4KQ6yz.
5. Valentine Swim
Saturday, February 13, 12-2 p.m., Southside Community Center (5825 Wise Rd)
Have fun and play on the new pool inflatable! Normal open swim rules apply. Only $2 at the door.
6. New! Frost Fest
Saturday, February 13, 1-5 and 7-11 p.m., Downtown Lansing
In the 100 and 200 blocks of S. Washington Sq. you'll find ice sculptures, a warming tent with kids’ activities and refreshments, liquid nitrogen and dry ice demonstrations by Impression 5, complimentary carriage rides, and music by Jammin' DJ's and 94.1 The Edge. Activities in the park (weather permitting) include snowboard rail demos by Modern Skate & Surf, Trebuchet launches at 2 p.m. & 3 p.m. by Impression 5, a snowman building area, a snowball throwing contest, and other winter related activities. The CATA Frost Fest trolley will provide rides between the two locations! Family activities are from 1-5 p.m. Later that evening (7-11 p.m.), adults 21 and older can beat the winter blues at the Michigan Brewing Company’s Frost Fest beer tent, featuring an ice bar with microbrews from MBC. Entry is $10 and includes a Frost Fest mug and one drink. There is also a "Cold Butt" euchre tournament - so named because contestants sit on blocks of ice! Euchre fees are $50 per team, which includes your entry into the beer tent, two Frost Fest mugs and one drink per team member. Cash prizes. Call (517) 487-3322 or email sara@lansingpsd.com for more details.
7. Youth Garden Conference
Saturday, February 20, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Southside Community Center (5825 Wise Rd).
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. Please register online or mail in the brochure.
8. New! 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. Garden Education Collaborative
The Greater Lansing Garden Education Collaborative 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 at www.LetsGardenLansing.org. Click here for more gardening resources.
10. Register now for the Hawk Island Triathlon!
This beginner-friendly multi-sport event is designed to welcome and encourage people of all ages, shapes, sizes and abilities as they venture into the world of triathlon. It's also a great warm-up race for experienced athletes gearing up for the summer triathlon season. Not ready to TRI it? Come out and volunteer! Click here for details.
Have a great week!
Kathie, Catie, Jerrell, Rita, & Dave