Calendar & Events

Meade Wheeler Financial Group will host a Community Shred Day on Tuesday, April 23, 2019 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m at 2212 Fourth Street, near Parkside Middle School in Jackson. Meade Wheeler Financial Group is offering this shred service free of charge.

Local residents and businesses are invited to bring personal documents for secure, on-site shredding. A mobile shred unit will be on hand to destroy documents on-site. People will be able to watch their documents being shredded.

For those who cannot attend the actual event, secured shred bins will be available for disposing of personal documents in the Meade Wheeler Financial Group’s office April 16th-22nd during normal business hours, Monday-Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Friday 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Properly disposing of personal documents is one way for people to protect themselves from identity theft. The Federal Trade Commission recommends shredding sensitive documents such as charge receipts, old utility bills, copies of credit applications, insurance forms, physician statements, unused checks, bank statements, and expired charge cards.

For more information on how to prevent or report identity theft, visit: www.ftc.gov/idtheft. For more information on Meade Wheeler Financial Group’s Shred Day, visit: www.meadewheeler.com.

Residents in Jackson’s Second Ward have an upcoming opportunity to meet with their City Council representative and learn the latest news from their neighborhood. Councilmember Freddie Dancy is holding a neighborhood meeting for the Second Ward on Thursday, April 25 at 6 p.m.

At the meeting, residents will hear from City Assessor Jason Yoakam. He will give information about special tax assessments and answer questions. An officer from the Jackson Police Department will also be at the meeting to talk about the latest police activity in the neighborhood.

The meeting is taking place at the Salvation Army, which is located at 806 E. Pearl St. in Jackson. All Jackson residents are welcome to attend.

Free admission to this local craft and vendor show. There will be food, activities, handmade items, woodworking, pet accessories, soap, candles, melts, lotions, decorations, and more!

For more information, visit the Facebook Event Page.

When your medicines are no longer needed, they should be disposed of promptly. Consumers and caregivers should remove expired, unwanted, or unused medications from their home to help reduce the chance that others accidentally take or intentionally misuse the unused medicine. Proper disposal also helps to keep medications out of our water supply. Clean out your medicine cabinet and bring your old medications to this free event!

For event updates, visit the Facebook event page.

For event updates, visit the Facebook event page.

Come out and join us to celebrate Earth Day! There will be kayaking, live music by Kevin Nichols, Paul McCormack’s classroom critters, educational activities and more. There are many local organizations that will be at the event. So mark the date and bring the family!

Cascades Park
1401 S Brown Street, Jackson, Michigan 49203

For event updates, visit the Facebook event page.

Area residents are invited to the Martin Luther King Center from 5-7 p.m. Monday, April 29, to discuss an ongoing project aiming to enrich the MLK Equality Trail within the city of Jackson.

Project team members – including representatives from the Ella Sharp Museum, Consumers Energy, Jackson District Library, Jackson churches, and more – are asking local residents to take part in the community meeting Monday evening.

“We’re hoping to gather public support and also gather public input about what people want to see along the trail on Jackson’s south side,” project leader and Ella Sharp Museum Director Diane Gutenkauf said.

The section of the trail set for updating runs from New Leaf Park on Fourth Street to the MLK Center located at 1107 Adrian St, and is roughly three miles long.

Ultimately, the group would like to create a “walking museum” along the trail that features African American history, whether that’s local history, national history, something in between, or all of the above, Gutenkauf said.

“The group has been working diligently for the past couple of months and we’re looking forward to working with more stakeholders moving forward,” she said.

The meeting will begin after the Young People of Purpose’s Parent Party at the MLK Center the same day, and will feature refreshments and food. Project members will give a short overview of the project before allowing participants to work together, voice their opinion, and be heard.

“We’re very excited to partner with this trail project and include two great events together in one night,” YPOP Director Diane Washington said. “We hope to see a large number of people celebrating the parent party at 4:30 p.m. and staying for the community discussion.”

The MLK Equality Trail Project Team’s mission is to create a world-class experience that inspires hope and opportunity within the Jackson Community.

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Email Diane Gutenkauf at dianeg@ellasharp.org or call her at 517-787-2320 for more information.

“We are Jackson, Michigan’s first recovery church! Join us on Wednesday evenings for church service and help us recover Jackson together!”

743 W. Michigan Avenue, Jackson, Michigan 49201

For more information, visit the Facebook event page.

The Optimist Club of Jackson hosts an annual banquet to recognize the contributions and efforts of our local law enforcement community. This year the Respect For Law Banquet will be held on Thursday, May 2, 2019, at the Optimist Ice Arena, 1300 W. North St., Jackson, MI.

This year’s guest speaker is Chief Joe Thomas of the Muskegon Heights Police Department to speak about his interesting career path in law enforcement.

Please RSVP by Thursday, April 25, tickets are available at $25 per person or $40 for two. Tickets are available through the Optimist Ice Arena office 517-783-2664.

For more information, visit the Facebook event page.

Don’t miss out on a great dinner and company. 5:30 sharp dinner will be served. 6:00 Annual address and awards.6:15 Auction starts.

Delivery lightly donated products for auction to 1st Presbyterian Church Mon through Friday 9am to 4pm.

Call 517-782-9766 Ext 4 for questions and more details.

For event updates, visit the Facebook event page.

Spring Arbor Township
107 E Main Street, Spring Arbor, Michigan 49283

For event updates, visit the Facebook event page.

The 2019 Michigan Prayer Breakfast is modeled after the Presidential Prayer Breakfast. This year’s speaker will be Jason Hanson, former kicker of the Detroit Lions.

Date: Thursday May 9, 2019

Time: 7:30-9:00am

Location: Lansing Center
on Michigan Ave in Lansing, MI

Tickets: $30/each

Table of 8:  $240

For more details and registration, visit  http://www.michprayerbreakfast.org

Join thousands of consumers, providers, family members, and friends on the Capitol Steps in Lansing as a demonstration of the importance of mental health services in Michigan. This event is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate recovery, fight stigma, and educate the public and Michigan Legislature regarding the vast need of mental health services in our communities.

Registration
LifeWays Oak Room
9 am to 11 am
Breakfast & T-shirt for those that register online

Transportation to the rally is NOT provided or arranged.

Walk A Mile In My Shoes Rally
State Capitol Lawn, 100 N Capitol Ave, Lansing, MI
1:30 pm to 3:00 pm

We suggest you arrive no later than 12:30 pm to secure parking and enjoy the festivities before the event.

For more information about the Walk A Mile event, please contact Rebecca Calkins at Rebecca.Calkins@LifeWaysCMH.org or 517.789.2490. We hope you can join us!

Do you know what apps are on your child’s phone? What are the latest social media trends? Do you wonder about how to talk to kids about online pornography, limit screen time, and protect them from digital strangers?

In the digital age, parents must be observant, engaged, and informed. We’ll discuss digital realities, strategies, and practical solutions that will enlighten, equip and encourage parents who want to teach their children how to use technology responsibly. The talk will include specific recommendations for filters and detailed explanations of popular apps and parental controls.

The Protect Young Eyes team, led by founder, Chris McKenna, presents around the United States to students and adults about how to use technology responsibly.

Free admission, and free childcare provided for ages infant – 6th grade.

Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-digital-culture-of-kids-at-spring-arbor-free-methodist-church-tickets-58097425965

During the evening, downtown merchants will partner with talented local artists to bring art into downtown businesses.
The Downtown Jackson Art Walk is a free, walk-able, art-filled Friday evening that allows everyone to explore downtown Jackson’s businesses and see the work of various local artists.

Thank you to the Jackson Anchor Initiative for sponsoring this event. Because of their sponsorship, there are no costs to our local businesses and local artists.

Spaces are on a first come, first serve basis. There are two separate events, one on Friday, May 10th from 5p-8p and the second on Friday, September 6th from 5p-8p.

Each artist will be showcased in a sponsor business and will have the opportunity to display and sell their artwork to the public!

More details about this event will be available soon, but don’t wait to signup!

*You must be at least 16 years old to participate.*

Business Sign-Up:
DEADLINE: Monday, April 22nd
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScj_HeCcD-koPCoqV-ElD1JhOtZyxKwbCUu-KGQrpfshEKwpA/viewform?usp=sf_link

Artist Sign-up:
DEADLINE: Monday, April 22nd
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfOZQoxv1NkvaG5ynWDSeNE9Mz01Je8rkijIDAqU10C7MCEcA/viewform?usp=sf_link

For more information, visit the Facebook event page.

Hit up all your favorite Jackson museums on Museum Day for FREE!

Each participating museum will be open to the public free of charge, on Saturday, May 11, 2019. Some locations will keep it low-key with an “open-house style” reception and self-guided tours while others are hosting festivals, child-friendly activities, historical demonstrations and providing guided tours. Museum Day is a wonderful opportunity to check some Jackson County Museums off your bucket list and discover what they’re all about.

The 2019 Museum Day Participants are listed below:
Cambridge Junction Historic State Park and Walker Tavern
Cell Block 7 Prison Museum
Ella Sharp Museum
Hanover-Horton Area Historical Society
Lost Railway Museum
Mann House
Tompkins Historical Stewart Museum
Waterloo Farm Museum and Dewey School Museum
Ye Old Carriage Shop Auto Museum

More information –> experiencejackson.com/museumday

Celebrate Mother’s Day at the Zoo! All moms will receive FREE admission to Potter Park Zoo on May 12! Farmyard EdVentures, Wings Down under, Bungee Jump and Pony rides will tentatively open Mother’s Day 2019. We can’t wait to see you here at the zoo!

For event updates, visit the Facebook event page.

The dedication of the McDonald Athletic Center is an exciting milestone in the life of SAU’s community! We look forward to celebrating the legacy of Coach Donald A. “Mac” McDonald. A community reception will immediately follow the dedication.

The McDonald Athletic Center is located on Second Street.

Contact Michelle Crutcher at michelle.crutcher@arbor.edu or 517.750.6348 with questions.

No RSVP is necessary.

The Tunnel to Towers 5K Run & Walk Series was created to honor the heroic life and death of Stephen Siller, a New York City firefighter (FDNY) who lost his life on September 11, 2001 after strapping on his gear and running through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to the Twin Towers.

Honor all of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001 and support our first responders and military who make extraordinary sacrifices in the line of duty! For more information on the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation please visit www.tunnel2towers.org

For more details, visit the Facebook event page.

Spring Arbor University will confer degrees to more than 400 graduates at its spring commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 18.

Brian Calley, President of the Small Business Association of Michigan and former Lieutenant Governor of Michigan from 2011-19, will provide the keynote address for both ceremonies. The ceremony for the traditional undergraduates will begin at 10:00 a.m. The ceremony for the off-campus undergraduate and graduate students will begin at 2:00 p.m.

Ceremonies will be held in the university’s McDonald Athletic Center. For more information about commencement, please visit arbor.edu for details.

Found Church is a new church plant, is launching September 8, 2019 at The Middle School at Parkside. They are hosting a free community event at Parkside on Saturday, May 18 with 321 Improv.

Additional details are online at https://www.youarefound.com/321

The Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau has been coordinating this family-friendly, community-building event for 25 years. Each year seems to reacquaint both visitors and residents with all that Greater Lansing has to offer. By purchasing a “passport” for one dollar, participants (local residents and visitors) are admitted into all participating attraction venues. For an additional 50 Cents participants can ride one of CATAs five designated bus routes and shuttle to and from a majority of these attractions.

For more information www.lansing.org/batyot

Connect with the Facebook event page for event updates.