Family Life

To the delight of those of us who attended these colorful and upbeat events last year, the Kozmic Picnik and Second Line Parade will again be featured Saturday, June 24, at the East Lansing Summer Solstice Jazz Festival.

June is Pride Month, and the weekend of June 16-18 offers many ways to celebrate including tonight's "White Party" in Old Town, Saturday's Pride Parade and the annual Pride service at Edgewood United Church in East Lansing on Sunday.  Ann Nichols and Coleen Moyerbrailean report.

East Lansing Public Library will kick off its summer reading program "Build a Better World" with a free concert of kids' music by The Verve Pipe on Sunday June 11th. ELi's Abigail Heath has the scoop.

How one family turned the loss of a beloved son into a joyous opportunity for others with special needs. Ann Kammerer reports.

MSU faculty member and East Lansing resident Telaina Eriksen has recently published a book about the experience of raising an LGBT child. A book release party will take place April 11. Peyton Lombardo reports.

Today, you and your kids find tasty treats, a trip to Oz, crafts, creepy crawly creatures and more in and around downtown East Lansing. It's a boo-tiful thing.

We've waited a long time to see the renovations to East Lansing's Public Library. Last Saturday, all was revealed, as Heather Paris reports.

On Saturday, October 1, MSU's College of Human Medicine will hold its annual Teddy Bear Picnic. As ELi's Peyton Lombardo explains, the event includes activities, sports teams, food and more with a goal of helping kids and medical and nursing students meet in a non-threatening environment.

ELi's Casandra Eriksen has the details on tomorrow's Walk and Roll Safety Day, a family-oriented event offering walking and biking education activities including an obstacle course, safety training courses, bike safety checks, helmet fittings, and more.

With temperatures expected to exceed 90 degrees over the course of several days this week, the City of East Lansing has asked us to remind residents to keep the following safety tips in mind.

These tips were adapted from the American Red Cross, and provided to us by the City:

1. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids.

2. Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, light-colored clothing.

3. Slow down, stay indoors when possible and avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day.

Above: Arborist and SE Marble resident Alex Ellis contemplating the best cut to make next to avoid personal injury or damage to the car under the tree.

"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.

It’s looking like a hot one this weekend (at least Saturday and Sunday) and though it might be tempting to spend the weekend on a pool float, there are some things to do out of the water.

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.

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.