Community

Above: Image of portable wifi device, courtesy of East Lansing Public Library

If you’ve ever been in a location without Wi-Fi, you might know how annoying it is to try to post that vacation picture or respond to an important email. Fortunately, the East Lansing Public Library now has hotspot portable Wi-Fi devices that can be rented out by patrons.

“May You Never Hunger, May You Never Thirst” is the motto of Pagans In Need, an organization located in the Metro Detroit area, dedicated to serving the many diverse needs of its’ clientele. PIN recently opened a food bank in Lansing, which is filled and maintained by supporters of the organization, and is stocked with food and clothing for those who might need a little extra help.

"Dave and I have always felt that adoption would be a part of our way to grow our family. We both have a deep-rooted faith in God and believe all Christ-followers are created to serve and love others." Rebecca McAndrews describes for ELi's Julie Rojewski the family's long but determined struggle as they became parents to three children from Haiti.

Forty-four years ago, the City of East Lansing was the first community in the United States to offer its gay citizens civil rights protection under law. But strangely enough, this progressive city has never been home to a gay bar.

Above: an artist’s rendering of a solar array project from the application for the tax exemption

A Michigan-based company wants to install a large solar array at MSU, and its request for a related tax exemption from the City of East Lansing is causing debate at City Council.

"I feel this has always been Corey Cafagna’s park and we have simply put up a sign to acknowledge that fact," said Sheila Taylor.

About sixty people gathered at 8 p.m. tonight at “the rock” near the MSU Auditorium to pay tribute to those murdered at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, early this morning in the deadliest mass shooting in American history.

Dee Hurlbert, the Director of MSU’s Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay, and Transgender Resource Center, told the people gathered that she appreciated “the gift of coming together with total strangers” at a time like this.

Several vigils are planned to mark the murder of more than 50 people at an Orlando, Florida nightclub early this morning.

At 6:00 pm a candlelight vigil will take place on the lawn of the State Capitol, hosted by the Lansing Association for Human Rights. The Capitol Building is located at 100 N Capitol Ave, in Lansing.

Annual Pancakes in the Park Set for June 12^th Hosted by East Lansing Rotary Club

On Saturday, June 12,  the East Lansing Rotary Club presents Pancakes in the Park. Pancake breakfasts will be served from 8:00 am to 1:00 pm. Breakfast includes pancakes (plain or blueberry), sausage, cinnamon apple slices, juice and coffee. Tickets are $5 per person and kids five and under eat free.

The newly named Corey Cafagna Park, at the intersection of Sunset Lane and Southlawn, is passing through the seasons. Last fall, the City installed a name sign, planted bushes and perennials around it, and put in two park benches. The benches are aligned so people can face each other and talk.

Through the winter, the green wood sign with white lettering stood out against the park's bare trees and snowy ground. This spring, the plants are emerging, rabbits lope across the grass, and people are venturing to sit on the benches.

Photo: Farmer's Market vendor Phil Throop of Wildflower Eco Farm

This weekend there is truly an embarrassment of riches for East Lansing residents. No matter what you’re into, you’re sure to find at least one way to jump into the life of the community, and if you’re like me, you’ll be making a list to make sure you don’t miss anything.

This Saturday, June 4^th, the City of East Lansing invites residents to bring their hard-to-recycle items to the Abbott Center to be reused, recycled, or disposed of properly. This annual event began over 20 years ago as a community clean up effort organized by community members, and continues to grow larger every year.

ELi's Heather Paris reports on the dedication of a new downtown mural created collaboratively by East Lansing senior citizens and middle school students.