Steph

Kindergarten Roundup is scheduled for, Thursday April 24th, 2008. The Roundup will be taking place at the Administrative Center, 515 Snow Road, Lansing, MI 48917 in the Board Room. To enable meeting all parents, the afternoon and early evening has been divided alphabetically by last name as follows:

A-H 4:30-5:20pm               I-P 5:30- 6:20pm              Q-Z 6:30- 7:20pm

If you are unable to attend at the time specified, please feel free to come at the most convenient time for you. If you can, please contact Shelia Conrad, Enrollment Secretary at 319-3021 to verify the change.

For parents of Waverly students who have not completed enrollment forms, please contact Shelia Conrad to make those arrangements as soon as possible. For School of Choice parents, applications will be sent out either at the end of May or first part of June after the Board of Education has made their decision regarding space availability.

For more details about the Waverly Kindergarten Roundup, please visit the Waverly web site "News" section. The Waverly web site is lovated at www.waverky.k12.mi.us

Steph

The second annual Easter Egg Hunt is just around the corner!

Where: Scribbles & Giggles, located in the former Historic Verlinden School

609 N. Verlinden Ave.

The Event:

There will be two seperate areas with a total of 5000 eggs each filled with a surprise.

The 6-10 age group will hunt for eggs inside the fenced in area at the back of the school.

Please have your child lined up on the outside of the fenced area by 11am.

Children who are 5 and under will hunt eggs in the open field within the taped area.

Have child/ren meet on the basketball court by 11am.

Parents may accompany their toddler into the "hunting" area.

We realize it may be cold but this is a very large event to orchestrate, so your patience is greatly appreciated!

We encourage you to wait inside the building until we announce when it is time to go outside. There is hot coffee and juice available at no charge in the gym.

www.scribblesandgiggleschildcare.com

Steph

What:

The 2008 Michigan Heart Gallery, a touring photographic exhibit featuring stirring portraits of 60 Michigan foster children who are waiting to be adopted, is on display at the Birchwood Mall in Port Huron now through April 10th. The photographs in the Heart Gallery were taken by more than 40 professional photographers who donated their time, talent and resources to take the pictures that help capture the spirit of the children in the foster care system.

The Michigan Heart Gallery is a collaborative effort between the Michigan Adoption Resource Exchange, the Adoptive Family Support Network and the Michigan Department of Human Services. Today, in Michigan, there are more than 4,000 children without families. Recruitment activities such as the Heart Gallery remind people that there are many children in Michigan who are waiting to be adopted into a loving and caring home.

When:

Now through April 10th, 2008

Where:

Birchwood Mall, 4350 24th Avenue, Fort Gratiot, Michigan

Ten Things you should know:

1. At any given time there are about 4,000 children in Michigan's foster care system who are available and waiting to be adopted.

2. Last year in Michigan almost 2,600 children were adopted through Michigan's foster care system.

3. Most families who adopt are also licensed foster parents or relatives. In, fact last year in Michigan, 93% of children adopted from the foster care system were adopted by a foster parent or relative.

4. All adoptive families must go through a family assessment process that includes an education component, background checks, and an exploration of the family's interest in adopting.

5. Because the needs of each child are different, many different types of families are needed. You don't have to be married to adopt, and you don't need to be wealthy or own your own home.

6. Many of the children waiting for adoption are school-age or older, may need to be adopted along with siblings, or may have special placement needs.

7. About 500 Michigan children between the ages of 18 and 21 transition or "age out" of the foster care system annually. Studies of youths who have left foster care without being adopted have shown they are more likely than those in the general population to not finish high school, be unemployed, and be dependent on public assistance. Many find themselves in prison, homeless, or becoming parents at an early age.

8. The Michigan Adoption Resource Exchange is an information and referral program that can help answer some of your questions about adoption. Contact them at (800)589- 6273 or visit their webpage, www.mare.org

9. The Heart Gallery is a project of the Michigan Adoption Resource Exchange. It is our hope the Michigan Gallery will inspire prospective parents to adopt an older child so these children can become part of a loving family and have a chance for a brighter, happier future.

10. Consider fostering, adopting or mentoring a waiting child!

Steph

The Cadillac Club will Help Volunteers of America Homeless Shelter, Again, Serving Easter Dinner to Lansing's Homeless!

The Cadillac Club will offer a wonderful Easter Dinner to Lansing's Homeless again this year, in the beautiful Cadillac Club Seville Dining Room. This has been arranged by Kate Reed and the Kitchen Staff at the VOA Homeless Shelter, which typically feeds this population individuals in need, daily and on Holidays. This gives those kitchen staff members the opportunity for a day off, to celebrate with their own families!

Dean Transportation Officials have been kind enough to offer bus service from the VOA Shelter to the Cadillac Club, again this year, as they have on all of the other occasions when the Cadillac Club has hosted this special Holiday Offering. Their contribution is greatly appreciated! The Cadillac Club will be serving a plated up chicken dinner, with delicious sides this Easter to 75-90 homeless individuals. "It is our great pleasure to be able to help", says David Sheets, Owner of the Cadillac Club.

Guests DO NEED to make reservations for this and to do so they must call the Volunteers of America @ 484-4414 and ask for Shirley or Kate. The Cadillac Club is asking that all reservations for this event be made through the VOA. There will be three seating times:

Noon- 1:00, 1:20- 2:30. and 2:40- 3:40

The Cadillac Club will be serving the General Public, their typical Sumptuous Easter Buffet Dinner, Noon- 6pm $19.95 and for 10 and under $10

Featuring the Elegant Music of Dick Ott on the Vibes 1- 5pm

Happy Easter! Happy Spring!

The Cadillac Club

1115 S. Washington, in REO Town, Downtown, Lansing

(517)853- 1912 for dinner reservations http://www.thecadillacclub.com

Steph

Saturday, March 22nd, 2008 from 11am to 3:00pm at the Dale Fisher Galleries

Ages 2-12                                                     Admission $5 per person

• Easter Egg Hunt (Bring your own Easter basket)

First hunt at 1pm for Ages 2-6

Second hunt at 2pm for Ages 7-12

• Crafts
• Refreshments
• Visit/Pictures with the Easter Bunny
• Movie
• Readings by Mr. Skip of the Grass Lake Library
• Music provided by D.J. Productions
• Fun..and much..much.. more!
• Face painting supplied by George Long Elementary School

New This Year:

Easter Egg Dance

Ages 13-18

Refreshments

Music by D.J. Productions

7pm to 11pm

Admission: $5 per person

All taking place at the Dale Fisher Galleries/Eyry of the Eagle Reception Center

1916 Norvell Road     Grasslake, MI 49240

For more info, contact the center at (517)522- 3705

_{Sponsored by:}

_{Dale Fisher Galleries}

_{Michigan's Center for the Photographic Arts}

_{Eyry of the Eagle Reception Center}

_{All proceeds go to the Michigan's Center for the Photographic Arts Children's Mentorship Program}

Steph

Sparty is finally having a Bar Mitzvah Party. Come and celebrate. Featuring a candle lighting ceremony, a DJ, dancers, Hora dancing, appetizers, cake and giveaways.

When: April 3rd 2008 at 9pm

Where: Club 131, located at 131 Albert Ave., next to Menna's Joint

Note: 18+ Welcome. Must be 21 with valid ID to drink.

Co-sponsored  by MSU Hillel, the ASMSU Programming Board, JIG and JSU

Steph

Join us as our community takes us through their journey of healing.

Including local musicians such as Barb Barton, singer/songwriter, and Jim Noble.

Along with poetry and prose by other local Lansing residents.

Thursday April 3rd at the Wonders Hall Kiva on MSU's campus, and Friday April 4th at the Creole Gallery, 1218 Turner, Lansing.

Both shows will begin at 7:30pm.

Suggested donation is $10, more if you can, less if you can't.

Proceeds benefit the Women's Cneter of Greater Lansing, which provides counseling and on-going support groups to survivors of childhood and adult domestic and sexual violence.

The Women's Center of Greater Lansing's mission is helping women realize their potential, support each other, achieve economic self-sufficiency, and develop emotional and physical wellbeing, regardless of income level.

Background Info:

The Lansing Area Community Trust Fund awarded a $3,000 grant to the Women's Center of Greater Lansing to coordinate a performance in conjuction with Take Back the Night, an annual event to raise awareness of sexual and domestic violence in April. The theme is "Hope and Healing". Survivors are being given the opportunity to give voice to their experiences and the ways in which they have healed and grown through them and share their message and vision of hope with the Greater Lansing community.

Steph

Actor's Theatre announces the west Michigan premiere of the Pulitzer prize winning drama:

Rabbit Hole

By: David Lindsay-Abaire

Winner of the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, its author is also the creator of Actors' 2006 hit, Kimberly Akimbo. This story of a family's coping with the loss of a child, has been called "startling and potent" (Associated Press) and "a beautifully observed new play" (New York Times).

The cast includes Amy Osborn, Craig Hammerlind, Kelley Carey, Nancy Wagner and Dylan Harris. The producation team includes Grand Award winning Director Tom Kaechele, Assistant Director Caroline Cahoon, Stage Manager Dawn Highhouse, Set Designer David Miller, Properties Designer Leslie Kohn, Costume Designer Kelly Lucas, Sound Designer Dave Fletcher and Lighting Designer Gayla Fox.

Performances will be March 20th-22nd and March 27th-29th. All performances are in Spectrum Theater, 160 Fountain NE on the campus of Grand Rapids Community College and begin at 8pm.

Ticket range from $22 for adults to $8 for students rush tickets an hour prior to performances. On Thursday performances, a second ticket is $10 with the purchase of the first ticket at full price. Call (616)234-3817 for more info. Box office number to reserve tickets is (616)234-3946 (box office opens March 10th, 2008 at noon).

Actors' Theatre 27th Season:

Seven Passages: The Stories of Gay Christians          _{September 27th- October 6th}

Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead          _{November 29th- December 8th}

Going to St. Ives          _{January 24th- February 2nd}

Rabbit Hole          _{March 20th- May 29th}

Kiss of the Spider Woman          _{May 15th- May 24th}

Steph

Capital Area United Way's Annual Awards & Volunteer Recognition Reception will be held later today, at the Sheraton Lansing Hotel.

The evening will begin with a reception from 5:30pm to 6:30pm, followed by the awards program and end with Randy Thayer, Plant Manager of the new GM Lansing Delta Township Assembly Plant and 2007 Campaign Chair, announcing the total amount raised from last fall's campaign.

This annual event recognizes the volunteers and the donors who do so much for our community. Awards are given for organizations that have reached award-winning giving levels. Those levels are: First TIme Campaign Awards, Rising Stars, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond Awards. Two major volunteer awards will also be presented. They are the Marion Marshall Award, given to the outstanding campaign volunteer in a non-leadership role; and the Walter A. Campbell Award, Capital Area United Way's highest volunteer award.

In addition to the United Way awards, the Capital Area United Way Volunteer Center Adult & Youth Volunteer of the Year Awards for 2007 will also be presented.

Steph

Junior High and high school students can learn more about Michigan courts, and explore legal careers, during two week-long sessions offered by the Michigan Supreme Court Learning Center this summer.

The Learning Center's summer offerings are not limited to students; a seminar for K-12 educators will focus on the Michigan judicial system, law-related resources, and curriculum ideas aligned with new Social Studies Grade Level Content Expectations (GLCEs).

The two student programs, entitled "Exploring Centers in the Law," will be offered at the Michigan Hall of Justice in Lansing. The high school program, for students entering 10 through 12 in fall 2008, is scheduled for June 23rd-27th from 9am to 12:30pm each day. Students entering grades 7 through 9 in fall 2008 are eligible for the junior high program, which is scheduled for July 14th-18th from 9am to noon daily.

The program hopes to achieve giving students a real-life view of legal careers.

Students in the junior high program will explore a range of law-related careers through tours and activities. Participants will meet the judges, lawyers, and other legal professionals, and observe proceedings at Lansing's 54A District Court.

Participants in the high school program will prepare for and participate in a "moot court," similiar to arguments before the Michigan Supreme Court. Participants will hear from Justices, lawyers, and other legal professionals.

Registration for each program is limited to 20 students, selected on a first-come, first-serve basis; the application deadline is May 16th, 2008. The registration fee is a $75 donation to the Michigan Supreme Court Historical Society Learning Center Fund.

The K-12 educators' program is scheduled for August 19th from 8:30am to 3:30pm. Presenters will include representatives of Michigan courts, Michigan State Police, Michigan Supreme Court Historical Society, Michigan Department of Education, and Wayne Regional Educational Service Agency. Participants will also tour the Learning Center, the Michigan Supreme Court courtroom, and the Michigan Court of Appeals courtroom in the Hall of Justice. Representatives of Lansing-area museums and other sites of interest will be on hand to describe their school tours and programs. The program is partially funded by the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning and the U.S. Department of Transportation. Registration is limited to 75 educators. The cost is $15 and includes parking, luncheon, and handout materials. The application deadline is June 30th, 2008.

All sessions will at the the Michigan Hall of Justice, 925 West Ottawa Street, Lansing. Contact Rachel L. Drenovsky at drenovskyr@courts.mi.gov or 373-5027. Additional info? http://courts.mi.gov/plc/