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Crystal Awards Reception to Take Place Thursday, April 16
Community members are invited to support their local heroes at the 2020 Crystal Awards community reception. Hosted by the East Lansing City Council, the Crystal Awards honor those who have given selflessly to the East Lansing community. The reception will take place on Thursday, April 16 at the East Lansing Hannah Community Center (ELHCC), 819 Abbot Road. The ceremony begins at 5 p.m. and this year's recipients will be announced at 6 p.m. In addition to the program honoring this year’s recipients, the reception will feature hors d’oeuvres, refreshments and live music by the Jordyn Davis Trio. Visit https://www.cityofeastlansing.com/CrystalAwards for more information.
East Lansing Family Aquatic Center Employment Opportunities
The East Lansing Family Aquatic Center (ELFAC) is accepting applications for summer employment! Job postings are available at www.cityofeastlansing.com/jobs. ELFAC employs lifeguards, slide operators and customer service associates (admission/concessions). Applicants must be at least 16 years old, have flexible schedules and be willing to work various shifts seven days a week. The aquatic center leadership staff will conduct all of the necessary training, including lifeguard certification, for the summer staff in May.
ELFAC is an interactive outdoor water facility that provides a safe aquatic experience to patrons off all ages. Features of the facility include a 190-foot tube water slide, 140-foot body water slide, Splash Park, drop slide, diving board, youth frog slide and a number of interactive water-play structures. ELFAC also features a wet/dry sand play area, large sunbathing deck, zero-depth pool entry and concessions.
Applicants that have questions prior to applying can email Dee Careathers at dcareath@cityofeastlansing.com or Tristan Guthrie at tguthrie@cityofeastlansing.com. Please note that ELFAC will continue to accept applications until all positions are filled.
Get Ready for the East Lansing Art Festival!
The East Lansing Art Festival (ELAF) is celebrating its 57th anniversary on the weekend of May 16-17 in downtown East Lansing! This year’s festival will include more than 180 artists; six food trucks; children’s activities; a children’s stage with music and interactive opportunities; a main stage with performances by regional musicians; an artist demonstration area that will feature live glass blowing, weaving and printing; and much more!
Additionally, this year's ELAF has an expanded festival site, stretching from Bailey Street to the entrance of the Albert Avenue parking garage. Everyone is invited to come and enjoy the art scene at the ELAF in downtown East Lansing! Stay tuned to www.elartfest.com as artists, food trucks, artist demonstrators, performers and musicians are announced.
Class Feature: Women's Self Defense
Women in the community who feel vulnerable and worried they don't have the skill set to defend themselves are encouraged to sign up for a self defense class. This class is intended for women who want to learn the basics of protecting themselves in a variety of situations, while also building confidence and increasing awareness in public. Participants will find they are much more aware of their surroundings and have increased confidence in their abilities to keep themselves and their family safe.
The class will take place on Saturday, March 7 and Saturday, May 23 from 12-2 p.m. at PKSA Karate East Lansing, 3498 E. Lake Lansing Road. The cost is $30 for residents and $35 for non-residents. To register, call (517) 333-2580 ext. 0, visit www.cityofeastlansing.com/classes or stop by the ELHCC.
Join a Group Fitness Class!
It’s that time of the year when the wellness goals that were clear and tangible in early January begin slipping away. Don’t let those goals fall by the wayside! Community members are encouraged to join one of the East Lansing Department of Parks, Recreation and Arts' (ELPRA) group fitness or yoga classes to keep themselves motivated this spring. ELPRA offers a variety of classes throughout the week, including Pound Fitness, Zumba, Strengthen and Sculpt, YogaFlex, Yoga Basics, Blast Workout, POP Pilates and more!
Can’t commit to a six-week class? ELPRA also offers a 10-punch card so community members can try a variety of classes throughout the week. For more information or to register, visit www.cityofeastlansing.com/classes, call (517) 333-2580 ext. 0 or stop by the ELHCC.
The East Lansing Farmers Market is Seeking Vendors!
The East Lansing Farmers Market (ELFM) is gearing up for the 2020 market season and is accepting vendor applications! The application is available until Friday, March 20. The vendor application and guidelines can be found online at https://www.cityofeastlansing.com/357/Vendor-Application.
Public Hearing Scheduled for Patriarche Park Grant Applications
The East Lansing Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission will hold a public hearing during its regularly scheduled meeting on Wednesday, March 18 at 7 p.m. in Room 211 of the ELHCC. The purpose of the public hearing is for community members to provide input about two planned grant applications that support improvements to Patriarche Park.
A Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be requested to fund the reconstruction of the pickleball and tennis courts at Patriarche Park and a Recreation Passport grant will be requested to fund the reconstruction of the basketball court. Both grant applications will be submitted to the DNR in April and, if awarded, the projects would be planned for spring 2022.
Community members with questions can contact Parks, Recreation & Arts Assistant Director Wendy Wilmers Longpre at (517) 319-6940 or wlongpr@cityofeastlansing.com.
Ingham County Trails and Parks Millage Supports New Northern Tier Trail Wayfinding Signs
Thanks to support from the Ingham County Trails and Parks Millage, new wayfinding signage will be installed along the Northern Tier Trail. Millage funds will cover the cost and installation of new 1/4-mile markers, directional signage and trailhead maps along the trail. Installation is scheduled to begin in early March and a total of 38 signs will be installed at no cost to the City of East Lansing.
The Ingham County Trails and Parks Millage was approved by just under 70 percent of East Lansing voters in November 2014. The millage has supported other projects in the city, including repairing/replacing six pedestrians bridges and making surface improvements along the Northern Tier Trail. Additionally, millage funds are supporting the White Park Trail Extension and Natural Features Enhancement Project, which began in February. A proposal to renew the Ingham County Trails and Parks Millage will be on the March 10 ballot for all Ingham County voters.
Three Leagues Available for Youth Baseball
ELPRA offers a variety of youth baseball leagues, including t-ball, coach pitch and kid pitch. Here is the age group, game schedule and cost for each league:
T-Ball Age: Five years old and/or in kindergarten Game Schedule: Eight games, Monday and Wednesday nights Cost: $65
Coach Pitch Age: First graders and second graders Game Schedule: 8-10 games, Tuesday and Thursday nights Cost: $70
Kid Pitch Age: Third graders and fourth graders Game Schedule: 8-10 games, Monday and Wednesday nights Cost: $75
Registration forms will be available in mid March with a deadline of April 3. A $15 late fee will be applied to late registrations. Spring training will begin May 4, with games beginning the week of May 25. For more information or to download a registration form, visit https://cityofeastlansing.com/902/Sports-Youth-Adult.
Swim Lessons Available for All Ages
ELHCC is pleased to offer a variety of swim lessons to community members, young and old. Classes are available for youth, adults and children as young as six months old. Eight swim lessons cost $49-56 for residents and $54-61 for non-residents. To register for lessons, call (517) 333-2580 ext. 0, visit https://www.cityofeastlansing.com/1182/Classes-Programs or visit the ELHCC.
Sign Up for Adult Softball Summer League
ELPRA offers a wide assortment of adult recreational softball opportunities. The City of East Lansing will have men’s and coed leagues on various nights of the week starting in late April and running through the end of July. Information packets will be emailed to all 2019 teams. Community members that would like to be added to the information list can email Recreation Specialist Tim Lane at tlane@cityofeastlansing.com.
