community events new recycling carts to be rolled out to

A newsletter for East Lansing residents • September 2015

East Lansing Welcomes the World is

Sept. 27 ..................................................... 7

I N T H I S I S S U E

Manager’s Message: It’s Great to Live in

Spartan Country ..................................... 2

East Lansing City Clerk’s Offi ce

Provides Election Information ............. 3

Renovations to Begin this Fall at the

East Lansing Public Library ................... 5

East Lansing Community Photo

Contest Currently Underway ............... 5

C O M M U N I T Y E V E N T S

Enjoy Fall at the

East Lansing

Farmer’s MarketTh e 2015 season of the East Lansing Farmer’s Market (ELFM) is in full swing and will continue this fall on Sundays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in Valley Court Park, 280 Valley Court, through Oct. 25.

As the seasons transition from summer to fall, ELFM customers can look forward to plenty of autumn goodies at the market, including apples, pumpkins, gourds, squash, apple cider, donuts, maple syrup and much more. Th e market will also continue to feature a variety of other items, including artisan bread, meats, fi sh, cheese, pickles, pasta, honey, jam, sauces, fresh vegetables/fruits, eat-on-site food and more. All produce and products sold at the ELFM are 100% homegrown (or homemade) right here in Michigan.

In addition to regular market days, ELFM will host its annual Spartan Appreciation Day on Sunday, Sept. 13 and its annual Autumn Fest on Sunday, Oct. 4. During Spartan Appreciation Day, the fi rst 125 students who attend the market can show their college i.d. to receive a $2 market voucher to .................. continued on page 2 East Lansing residents will receive new recycling carts this fall and collection will change to every other week.

P U B L I C W O R K S

New Recycling Carts to be Rolled

Out to Residents this MonthTh e City of East Lansing will be rolling out new, 96-gallon recycling carts to East Lansing residents this September.

Th e carts will be delivered to residences the week of Sept. 28 and will be provided at no cost thanks to a $125,000 grant from Th e Recycling Partnership and matching funds from the City of East Lansing. All residents eligible for refuse collection will receive a cart.

Collection with the new recycling carts will begin in early October, with some

residents beginning the week of Oct. 5 and others beginning the week of Oct. 12. Th e curbside recycling collection schedule, including Simple Recycling, will change from weekly to bi-weekly (every other week)and refuse will continue to be collected weekly. A schedule and list of recyclable items will be provided with the new cart. Th e majority of residents’ collection days will remain the same. Th ose with a collection day change have been notifi ed.

Th e new cart .................... continued on page 2

Dialog Newsletter September 2015

It’s great to live in Spartan Country this time of year, with the return of MSU students, the start of Spartan football, and all of the energy and excitement that comes with

living in a college town. I feel fortunate to be a resident of the East Lansing-MSU community and I know I’m not alone in that sentiment.

As the weather begins to cool down and the leaves begin to change color, there are so many great things to look forward to here in our community. In addition to the neighborhood ice cream socials already hosted by the Community Relations Coalition at the beginning of the school year, community members are encouraged to be a part of CRC-hosted neighborhood cleanups later this season. One Book, One Community will also continue this fall with a number of events and East Lansing Welcomes the World will be hosted at the East Lansing Public Library on Sept. 27, serving as a special welcome to international students and families.

Later this fall, the MSU Homecoming Parade will draw Spartan fans to downtown and a new Paint the Aves downtown window painting competition will be hosted as part of the Homecoming Week festivities. Th e always-popular Great Pumpkin Walk will also take place in the downtown on Oct. 29. I’m looking forward to another great fall in East Lansing!

M A N A G E R ’ S M E S S A G E

It’s Great to

Live in Spartan

Country

George LahanasEast Lansing City Manager

Th e East Lansing Farmer’s Market will be open every Sunday fr om 10 a.m.-2 p.m. through Oct. 25.

F A R M E R ’ S M A R K E T

spend at the market as well as a free, reusable ELFM shopping bag. Th e giveaway will apply to anyone with a college i.d.

Th is year’s Autumn Fest will feature FREE cider and donuts, FREE kettle corn, horse and carriage rides, fall children’s activities, live music and more. Th ere will also be a Cart Bash at

the Autumn Fest event to celebrate the rollout of East Lansing’s new recycling carts. Visitors can enjoy a variety of cart games, recycling freebies, a look at East Lansing’s new hydraulic hybrid recycling truck and more.

Community members can learn more about the ELFM at cityofeastlansing.com/farmersmarket.

R E C Y C L I N G C A R T S

system will allow the City to add additional recyclable items to its existing single-stream curbside collection program, including boxboard, cardboard, household scrap metal, rigid plastics, cartons and more. Items do not need to be sorted or bagged. View the full list of recyclable items inside the Curbside Journal.

Once the carts arrive, residents can keep their old bins for their own personal use or they can be picked up by the City and recycled. Residents who would like the City to pick up their old bin are asked to place it at the curb on the fi rst day that they use their new cart. Bins should be placed next to the new cart.

Th e City will not be able to accommodate the collection of overfl ow recyclables in the old recycling bins once

the cart system is in place.

Th e City’s new cart system is a long-term solution that is based in best practices. It is expected to provide added convenience for residents, while also providing long-term cost savings and increasing the City’s recycling volumes by approximately 50 to 60 percent.

Th e cart system is also expected to cause less wear and tear on the City’s infrastructure due to the bi-weekly collection of recyclables.

Residents with questions about the new cart system can contact Environmental Services Administrator Cathy DeShambo at (517) 337-9459 or [email protected]. For additional information, visit cityofeastlansing.com/recycle.


P L A N N I N G , B U I L D I N G & D E V E L O P M E N T

Crowdfunding for Downtown ‘Artist Alley’ ProjectsA group of City of East Lansing staff members and East Lansing residents recently partnered to develop two placemaking ‘Artist Alley’ project proposals for downtown East Lansing.

Th e proposed locations for these exciting projects include the Grove Street alley that connects to Ann Street Plaza and the pedestrian alley adjacent to the Visitor’s Center in the 500 block of E. Grand River Ave. As part of the proposed projects, both locations would receive new lighting,

planters, landscaping, outdoor tables, chairs and benches. In addition, the Grove Street alley would include the installation of an East Lansing-themed mural and the pedestrian alley would include a multi-generational mosaic art project through a partnership with the Prime Time Seniors’ Program and MacDonald Middle School. Th e projects are estimated to cost $90,000.

In order to make these projects a reality, a crowdfunding campaign will be launched through Patronicity this fall. If the

campaign successfully raises $45,000, then the Michigan Economic Development Corporation will match the donations through its Public Spaces Community Places initiative.

A fun-fi lled kick-off event for the one-month-long crowdfunding campaign is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 7 from 4-6 p.m. in downtown East Lansing. If the fundraising is successful, the projects will be completed next spring. Keep an eye out for additional information this October.

With the November 3, 2015 General Election just around the corner and six candidates running for one of three seats on the East Lansing City Council, the East Lansing City Clerk would like to remind voters of some upcoming key dates and precinct changes.

Th e voter registration deadline for the Nov. 3 election is Monday, Oct. 5. Eligible voters can visit the City Clerk’s offi ce, 410 Abbot Road, to register. Voter registration and absentee voter ballot applications can also be found at cityofeastlansing.com/elections or can be requested by mail. Th e City Clerk’s offi ce will have special hours on Saturday, Oct. 31 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. to issue and receive absentee ballots. Th e last day to have an absentee ballot mailed is Saturday, Oct. 31 and the last day a voter can apply for an absentee ballot and have it issued in person is Monday, Nov. 2 by 4 p.m. All absentee ballots must be returned to the City Clerk’s offi ce by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Th e polling location for Precinct 9 (west portion of Bailey) has changed from the Bailey Community Center to Edgewood United Church, 469 N. Hagadorn Road, and the polling location for Precinct 2 (Chesterfi eld Hills) changed in the previous election from All Saints Episcopal Church to Martin Luther Chapel, 444 Abbot Road. Find additional election information at cityofeastlansing.com/elections.

C I T Y C L E R K

East Lansing City Clerk’s Offi ce

Provides Election Information“We are

hoping for a great voter turnout during

the November 3, 2015 General Election”

City ClerkMarie Wicks


C O M M U N I T Y E N G A G E M E N T

CRC Welcomes New

Student InternsTh e East Lansing-MSU Community Relations Coalition (CRC) has kicked off another academic year of community building and has welcomed aboard a great group of new and returning student interns.

Th e CRC student interns are living in target off -campus neighborhoods in the East Lansing-MSU community, where they will work throughout the year to foster cooperation and communication between neighbors from all walks of life. Th is year’s interns include: Channing McKay (Bailey), Sarah Wallace (Oakwood), Christina Ignasiak (Bailey), Asmaa Walton (Oakwood), Je’Sonja Lee (Red Cedar), Ryan Martini (Chesterfi eld Hills), Kelly Ronquist (Bailey), Grace Carmichael (Bailey), Payden Myers (Bailey) and Esther Okunrounmu (Bailey).

In addition to the neighborhood ice cream socials that were hosted early in the school year, the CRC will be hosting a series of fall neighborhood cleanups and will be participating in East Lansing Welcomes the World, the MSU Homecoming Parade, Autumn Fest, the MSU Housing Fair, SAFE Halloween and the Winter Glow. Th e CRC will also be hosting and/or participating in a variety of community building events next spring.

Th e CRC is a nonprofi t that works to build trusting relationships within East Lansing’s diverse community of students, families, young professionals and seniors. Th e CRC motto, “We All Live Here,” reinforces the organization’s goal of helping residents recognize and appreciate the responsibilities and advantages they all share as members of the East Lansing-MSU community. Visit WeAllLiveHere.org to learn more about the CRC.

Th e CRC’s 2015 student interns are pictured above.

Address: 507 E. Grand River Ave.

Website: facebook.com/ VelvetACandyStore

Hours:

Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday, noon-9 p.m. *Hours are expected to be extended this fall.

VELVET A CANDY STORE

I T ’ S Y O U R B U S I N E S S

New Business Serves

Up Sweet TreatsVelvet A Candy Store, 507 E. Grand River Ave., opened its doors in downtown East Lansing this past summer.

Aft er operating a candy store on Mackinac Island for several years, Trisha and Erik Berakovich decided to make the move to East Lansing with their two children to open a year-round shop. Erik is an alumnus of MSU.

Th e family-owned business serves up everything from Mackinac Island fudge to ice cream, chocolate, homemade caramel corn, old fashioned candy, coff ee and more. Th e ice cream and fudge is all made on site and there are a wide variety of fl avors to try. Be sure to stop by this new business in downtown East Lansing!


Th e 2015 East Lansing Community Photo Contest, sponsored by Meijer and the East Lansing Downtown Management Board (DMB), is currently underway.

Community members are invited to submit up to fi ve photos taken in the East Lansing community during any of its four seasons at cityofeastlansing.com/photocontest. Th e contest deadline is Friday, Oct. 16.

Th e 1st Place, 2nd Place and 3rd Place winners will receive $150, $100 and $50 Meijer gift cards respectively and 10 Honorable Mention winners will receive $25 downtown East Lansing gift cards. Th ere is also a special category; the DMB will select the best photo of downtown East Lansing and that winner will receive a $100 downtown East Lansing gift card.

C O M M U N I T Y

EL Community

Photo Contest

City of East Lansing offi cials would like to warn East Lansing-MSU community members of the potential dangers of gathering on rooft ops for social/recreational purposes.

Th e East Lansing Police Department has noticed an increase in this type of dangerous behavior and are concerned for the safety of community members. Th ere have been regular occurrences in East Lansing where individuals have fallen from rooft ops and injured themselves.

It is also important to understand that the majority of rooft ops are not designed for recreational purposes; they are typically designed only for maintenance/repair purposes. Rooft op collapses are possible.

S A F E T Y

Rooftop Parties

Discouraged

L I B R A R Y

Renovations to Begin this Fall at

the East Lansing Public Library

Excitement is building at the East Lansing Public Library (ELPL)! Starting in November, ELPL will undergo an exciting renovation of its interior thanks to a very generous donation of $1.5 million from a library patron.

“Th is is a wonderful gift to the library and the community,” said ELPL Director Kristin Shelley. “We have the opportunity to create the library that the East Lansing community deserves.”

Th e renovation will transform ELPL into a community hub and learning space. Th e children’s area will be moved and enhanced with an early childhood literacy area, the teen space and Maker Studio will be expanded, a cyber café with vending machines will be added, a family bathroom will be built and the fl oor plan of the library will be reconfi gured to create more open space. Th e library’s collection will be moved around as part of the renovation, but the number of items in the collection will be

close to the same.

Th e renovation also will allow ELPL to plan for the future with added data and electrical outlets, mobile shelving/furniture and small group meeting spaces.

Th e library will remain open during the renovation. Th ere will be dust and portions of the library will not be accessible; however, ELPL staff will be available and eager to assist patrons with their information needs. Areas not accessible during the renovation will include ELPL’s meeting rooms and portions of the collection.

StoryTimes and the Teen Aft er School Program will move to All Saints Episcopal Church, 800 Abbot Road, starting in November. Th e same great programs will be off ered by library staff , just in a diff erent location.

Community members with questions can contact ELPL at (517) 351-2420.

As part of the renovation project, the library will be reconfi gured. Th e new fl oor plan is pictured above.


C O M M U N I T Y P R O G R A M

One Book, One

Community Kicks Off Th e 2015 One Book, One Community (OBOC) program kicked off this past August with a special visit from Bryan Stevenson, author of the New York Times Bestseller “Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption.”

Stevenson spoke and signed books at a special community event on Aug. 30 and also addressed incoming freshmen at the MSU Academic Welcome on Aug. 31.

Th is year’s OBOC theme is: “A Community Conversation on Justice, Human Rights and Compassion.” In addition to selecting Stevenson’s book for this year’s program, the OBOC Committee also selected the documentary fi lm, “Th e House I Live In” by Eugene Jarecki, which won the Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury Prize in 2012.

Th ere is still time to read the book, watch the fi lm and join the community at a variety of events centered around the 2015 theme. Visit onebookeastlansing.com for more information about the program and the OBOC events that are still to come.Bryan Stevenson discussed his book “Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption”

at One Book, One Community’s kick-off event on Sunday, Aug. 30.

BY: ELPS SUPERINTENDENT ROBYNE THOMAS

I am very excited for the start of the 2015-16 school year.

Th e upcoming school year at East Lansing Public Schools (ELPS) is fi lled with potential as we welcome back more than 3,500 students into our classrooms.

New AdministratorsTo start with, we have several new administrators at ELPS.

Ms. Dori Leyko, the former principal of Marble Elementary School, has been appointed the Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment.

MacDonald Middle School has a new principal, Mrs. Amy Martin. Mrs. Martin comes to East Lansing from a principalship at Birmingham Public Schools.

We also welcome Mrs. Amy Webster,

who will be the new principal at Pinecrest Elementary School. Mrs. Webster comes to us from Ann Arbor Public Schools.

We are delighted to welcome Mrs. Martin and Mrs. Webster to ELPS.

A.V.I.D.A new program will begin at East Lansing High School this year.

Advancement via Individual Determination (A.V.I.D) is being implemented for qualifying students entering 9th grade in the fall of 2015. Th is program assists in closing the achievement gap by preparing students for college and other postsecondary opportunities (especially students traditionally underrepresented in higher education).

Advanced Placement ScoresTh e recent data on AP scores showed that East Lansing High School had the highest

number of students taking AP courses and the highest passage rate in years with scores of three, four or fi ve.

Almost 300 students took close to 600 exams, with just over 87 percent scoring three or higher. Michigan’s state average for students scoring three or higher is 67 percent, while the global average is 60 percent.

E A S T L A N S I N G P U B L I C S C H O O L S

ELPS 2015-2016 School Year Filled with Potential


C O M M U N I T Y E V E N T S

East Lansing Art Festival Issues

Call to ArtistsTh e East Lansing Art Festival (ELAF) has issued its call to artists for next year’s festival, taking place May 21-22, 2016 in downtown East Lansing.

Artists can apply online at www.zapplication.org. Th e application fee for those that apply by November 30, 2015 is $25 and the application fee for those that apply by January 31, 2016 (the deadline to apply) is $35.

Th e ELAF is a two-day outdoor celebration of arts and culture. Th e juried festival is ranked 50th in Sunshine Artist Magazine’s Top 100 Best Fine Art and Design Shows in the United States and it is mid-Michigan’s fi rst major festival of the spring/summer. Known for featuring the highest caliber

fi ne art and fi ne craft , the ELAF is a highly anticipated event that attracts more than 70,000 art patrons from the region and beyond. In addition to art, the event includes live music, children’s activities, an international-style food court and more. Th e festival is free and open to the public.

Artists selected to sell their work at the festival receive a variety of amenities, including $6,000 in artist awards, Friday setup, load-in and load-out at booths, free parking, complimentary promo postcards, morning coff ee and donuts, booth sitters, security patrols, an invitation to a Friday night kick-off concert, a Saturday artist reception dinner and more. Learn more about the ELAF at elartfest.com.

M S U W E L C O M E

Welcome

Home, MSU

Spartans!Th e City of East Lansing would like to welcome home all returning and new MSU Spartans. We hope students, during their time at MSU and perhaps beyond, take advantage of all that the East Lansing community has to off er.

Th e East Lansing Public Library (ELPL) is a nice, quiet place to study (with WIFI) and all students are eligible to receive an ELPL library card. Th e East Lansing Hannah Community Center off ers an aff ordable fi tness center as well as a variety of fi tness classes and a 25-yard heated pool. Th e Northern Tier Trail is a great destination for outdoor exercise, featuring 4.5 miles of paved pathways that connect to eight community parks and recreational facilities. One of the parks the trail connects to is the Northern Tail Dog Park - a great place for students to take their dogs for some off -leash fun.

Students looking for locally-grown Michigan produce and products can look no further than the East Lansing Farmer’s Market (ELFM). And students looking for a great place to shop and dine local can fi nd plenty of options in East Lansing’s vibrant downtown.

Connect with the City online to learn more about East Lansing: cityofeastlansing.com, facebook.com/cityofeastlansing and twitter.com/CityofEL. Receive local emergency alerts by signing up for Nixle at nixle.com or by texting your zip code to 888777.

G L O B A L C O M M U N I T Y

EL Welcomes the

World is Sept. 27All community members are invited to attend the 6th Annual East Lansing Welcomes the World event, taking place Sunday, Sept. 27 from 2:30-4:30 p.m. at the East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road.

Th is special event, hosted by the City of East Lansing and Michigan State University, serves to welcome international students and families to the East Lansing-MSU community. Th e event will feature a brief program, catered food, live music, children’s activities, community information tables, mingling and more. Th ere will also be free transportation to the event, with shuttle buses running on a loop from 2-5 p.m., stopping regularly at MSU’s North Hubbard Hall, the International Center, Brody Hall and the Spartan Village Community Center.

Community members interested in being a part of welcoming this year’s international attendees can sign up to be a community ambassador by sending an email to Jen Amormino, [email protected], or Phyllis Th ode, [email protected]. Anyone with questions about the event can call ELPL at (517) 351-2420.

A photo fr om the 5th Annual EL Welcomes the World.

TM

community events

NONPROFITU.S. POSTAGE

PAID

E. LANSING, MIPERMIT NO. 75

Published for the information of East Lansing residents. If you have any questions, please call (517) 319-6873; write Dialog, 410 Abbot Road, East Lansing, MI 48823; or email [email protected]. Visit cityofeastlansing.com/news to sign up for the monthly e-Dialog. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/CityofEL, like us on Facebook at facebook.com/CityofEastLansing and sign up for emergency notifi cations via Nixle at local.nixle.com/register.

City Council

410 Abbot Road, (517) 319-6904

Mayor Nathan TriplettMayor Pro Tem Diane GoddeerisCouncilmember Kathleen Corkin BoyleCouncilmember Ruth BeierCouncilmember Susan WoodsCity Manager George Lahanas

EL Welcomes the World

Sept. 27, 2:30-4:30 p.m.

International students and families are invited to the East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road, to get to know their neighbors and learn about the community. Open to all. Learn more on page 7.

Great Pumpkin Walk

Oct. 29, 5-7 p.m.

Families can bring their costumed children to downtown East Lansing to trick-or-treat with participating businesses. More than 50 friendly businesses participate in this popular event each year.

MSU Homecoming Parade

Oct. 2, 6 p.m.

Community members are invited to line the streets of East Lansing and MSU for the 2015 MSU Homecoming Parade. Find the parade route and additional details at alumni.msu.edu/programs/homecoming/.

Green Friday

Dec. 4-5

Green Friday (and Saturday too!) is downtown East Lansing’s version of the Black Friday sales. Visitors can enjoy sales/specials at participating businesses. Details will be posted at downtownel.com closer to the dates.

Autumn Fest & Cart Bash

Oct. 4, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

Stop by the East Lansing Farmer’s Market, 280 Valley Court, for free donuts and cider, horse and carriage rides, free kettle corn, children’s activities, live music, recycling freebies, recycling cart games and more.

Winter Glow

Dec. 5, 2-5 p.m.

Th is popular annual event features marshmallow roasting, live music, ice carving, pictures with Santa, an outdoor holiday farmer’s market and more. Learn more at cityofeastlansing.com/WinterGlow.

More info at cityofeastlansing.com/communityevents.

community events new recycling carts to be rolled out to

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