Live News Updates for Sept. 11-17
Sunday is Spartan Appreciation Day at the ELFM.
The East Lansing Farmers Market (ELFM) invites Michigan State University students to the Spartan Appreciation Day this Sunday (Sept. 17) from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Sponsored by Michigan State University Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU), Spartan Appreciation Day, according to the event press release, hopes to “recognize the City’s special relationship with Michigan State University (MSU) and welcome its students to the community.”
The ELFM is held at 280 Valley Court and is a growers-only market that sells products and produce that are 100% Michigan grown.
The first 100 students who show a student ID from any college at the ELFM information booth on Sunday will receive a free tote and a $2 coupon to spend with any vendor.
In celebration of Spartan Appreciation Day, the farmers market will also have two live music performances. Jazz artist Christopher Minami will perform from 10-11:50 a.m., followed by School of Rock House Band from 12:10-2 p.m.
Other activities at the ELFM will include yoga in the park at 11 a.m led by Sara Joy, an appearance by Sparty at 11:30 a.m., the opportunity to add to the East Lansing Art Commission’s Community Fingerprint Project and paint rocks for the Kindness Rocks rock garden.
Parking is available for free at the meters in front of the park on Valley Court, at spaces reserved for Valley Court Community Center on Hillside Court and at two-hour spaces along Oakhill Avenue above the park. There is also free parking at the East Lansing Hannah Community Center on Abbot Road and at the downtown parking structures.
Reported by Mya Gregory (Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023)
The environment and justice issues are the focus of a new Lansing-area organization.
Capital Area Friends of the Environment (CAFE) has formed a new organization focusing on the environment and justice issues in the Lansing and mid-Michigan region.
CAFE is a grassroots activist organization formed by local residents who are “dedicated to creating a more sustainable and just environment in the Lansing region,” according to their website.
Some of the organization’s goals include decreasing carbon emission, facilitating a multi-modal transportation network lessening reliance on automobiles, and ending sewer run-off into local rivers and streams.
“We will speak truth to power,” Randy Dykhuis, president of the CAFE board, said. “We expect to foster opportunities for organizing actions and taking on projects. When necessary, we will be calling on the Lansing community to turn-out in support of renewable energy, strong climate action, clean water and environmental justice.”
Although there are many environmental-related organizations in Michigan, organizers say CAFE is unique as it focuses primarily on solutions for Michigan’s capital region.
CAFE said Lansing-region community members can help to support CAFE’s work with a donation, become a member and get active in the fight to protect the environment.
For more information, call 517-927-5121 or email mi.517.cafe@gmail.com.
Reported by Mya Gregory (Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023)
150th Anniversary Festival is Wednesday at the Beal Garden.
The W.J. Beal Botanical Garden and Campus Arboretum will celebrate its 150th anniversary with a festival from 3-7 p.m. Wednesday (Sept. 13). The event will include a variety of activities in the serene garden behind the Michigan State University (MSU) Library and along the banks of the Red Cedar River.
The 150th Anniversary Festival is, according to an event press release, a celebration of what is the oldest continuously operated university garden in the United States.
On the schedule of activities are games, tours, educational programs and art performances beginning at 3 p.m. From 3-4:45 p.m., there will be the planting of 150 native plants along the Red Cedar River. At 5 p.m., Interim MSU President Teresa Woodruff will make remarks and plant a commemorative tree. And at 6 p.m., a string quartet will perform.
The full schedule of activities can be viewed here. The event is free.
In August, ELi Reporter Dustin DuFort Petty provided insights into the history, the present and the future of the garden. See his story here.
Reported by Julie Seraphinoff (Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023)
EL wants input from the community as it updates the Non-Motorized Transportation Plan
The City of East Lansing is in the process of updating the Non-Motorized Transportation Plan and is looking for feedback from the community.
Partnered with MSK Consulting Firm, the city is re-evaluating a plan to create a safer city for pedestrians and bikers.
Community members are invited to learn more about the project, provide feedback and ask questions during an open house on Thursday, Sept. 28 from 4-7 p.m. at the Hannah Community Center.
The press release for the event said, “This process includes reviewing existing conditions and best practice solutions as well as talking with stakeholders and the community.”
City members can also provide input on the website, utilizing the interactive online map. The map allows community members to visually show where they would like to see enhancements or where they have concerns. There is also an online survey.
Reported by Mya Gregory (Monday, Sept. 11, 2023)
What’s Going on in East Lansing? Here’s what was featured in the East Lansing Insider Sept. 29 Saturday Mailer.
The first week of September has come and gone, football season has begun, the kids are settled into the school year and the trees will soon change color as we barrel toward fall.
In East Lansing, the race for three seats on City Council is in full swing. To help our readers get to know the candidates on the Nov. 7 ballot, the ELi reporting staff – Lucas Day, Dustin DuFort Petty and Mya Gregory – provided profiles on each individual in the field of eight. Get to know Erik Altmann, Noel Garcia, Christopher Wardell, Rebecca Kasen, Dan Bollman, Kerry Ebersole Singh, Mark Meadows and Joshua Ramirez-Roberts.
Want to hear the candidates in person? There are three forums coming up where you can do just that. First, at 6:30 p.m. Thursday (Sept. 14) there will be a two-hour forum for City Council candidates to discuss topics relevant to the community. ELi has helped the League of Women Voters survey area residents on what they would like to hear from candidates during the event, which will be held at the Hannah Community Center.
The Pinecrest Neighborhood Association is hosting a City Council candidate forum 7-8:30 p.m. Sept. 18 in the East Lansing Public Library. And the Associated Students of Michigan State University is holding a Council “debate/forum” 7-8 p.m. Oct. 3.
City Council meeting focuses on Hagan Realty project and EL Youth Commission.
City Council reconvened this week, most notably to discuss a potential housing project from Hagan Realty. Dustin will cover the Hagans’ vision and resident concerns for the proposal to bring townhouses to Grove Street. Watch for his report early this week. You can watch the recording of the meeting here.
Also at Council, the decision to create a Youth Commission was passed in a 3-1 vote. Mayor Ron Bacon and Mayor Pro Tem Jessy Gregg have been vocal about their desire to form the commission following a series of violent incidents at East Lansing High School during the 2022-2023 school year. While Gregg was absent from Tuesday’s meeting, Bacon was among Council members to share his excitement for the new commission. Lucas brings the story as part of last week’s ELi Now column.
Things are looking good for the Trader Joe’s to happen.
Outside of city hall, Investigative Reporter Alice Dreger broke the news that there has finally been movement on the Trader Joe’s planned to be built in Meridian Township, across from Whole Foods. The project was initially supposed to be developed by Strathmore Real Estate Group but had stalled. The property has now been bought by Trader Joe’s and could open next summer. Meridian Township has agreed not to call it Trader Joe’s until the company announces a new store. Until that time, it will be known as a “specialty grocery” project.
The Trader Joe’s story was made possible by donors to ELi’s new Investigative News Fund. Join them today!
And ahead next week, meetings almost every day.
Looking ahead to next week, there will be city meetings each day Monday through Thursday. Monday (Sept. 11) the Human Rights Commission will convene. Wednesday (Sept. 13) the Planning Commission will hold its first meeting of the month. Finally, Thursday (Sept.14) will see the Historic District Commission meet. Once agendas for these meetings are released, they can be viewed here. The Tuesday (Sept. 12) City Council discussion-only meeting has been canceled.
The East Lansing Board of Education meets 7 p.m. Monday (Sept. 11) in the boardroom in the lower level of East Lansing High School. The agenda will be available here.
Have an event, activity or announcement you would like to feature in ELi Now? Let us know!
East Lansing Insider members receive the live news updates in their emails through the week. Updates land on the East Lansing Info website first and are shared with Insider members shortly after. The website column begins fresh each Monday and is updated through the week with news and previews of upcoming events and activities.
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