Press
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (April 8, 2010)
Contact: Erin Slayter (517) 515-1222
What: Lansing, Michigan Celebrates the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day – a three-day event Featuring:
- ·First-Ever Collaborative Earth Day Celebration on the Capitol Lawn
- ·Artists for the Earth in Old Town
- ·Mayor Virg Bernero & Lansing Community College Present Climate Change Speaker Dr. Jon Miller “Why Climate Change Matters”
- ·FREE Workshops by LCC’s Alternative Energy School
When: Thursday, Friday and Saturday – April 22, 23, 24 (see details below)
Where: Various locations including Downtown Lansing, State Capitol Lawn, Old Town, Lansing Community College
Through a unique partnership with Earth Day New York and a multitude of community partners, The Sweaty Mouse is pleased to announce Lansing, Michigan’s participation in a global campaign called:
B the E!
B the E! is a celebration of Earth Day’s 40th Anniversary and is a call to action best invoked by Gandhi’s plea; “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” I am E is rooted in the notion that everything on Earth is dependent on everything else and that the Earth is one living organism. The campaign will highlight choices made by all kinds of people to live greener, cleaner, and more sustainable lifestyles.
By coming together as a community, we will demonstrate that it is time to rekindle the idea that we are all part of a powerful movement that can really make a difference. Many Lansing and State of Michigan agencies, nonprofits, community organizations, performers, and residents are planning a variety of events beginning on April 22, 2010, Earth Day and continuing through the weekend. Many of the events and activities are FREE and open to the public.
Thursday, April 22
- ·ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING FAIR Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DNRE) is hosting pre-registered K-5 students for an environmental learning fair with musicians, artists, nonprofits, and community organizations providing each child with a compostable goody bag filled with information, games, and White Pine seedlings. (PRIVATE – Pre-registered)
- The DNRE is also sponsoring community-wide electronics recycling with a drop-off location outside Constitution Hall from 10am – 2pm.
- ·Community Presentation on Climate Change (Lansing Community College, Cunningham Administration Building, Capitol Ave, 6 – 8 pm, Open to the public FREE) – Mayor Virg Bernero and GoGreen! Lansing present guest speaker, Dr. Jon Miller, for a community presentation; “Why Climate Change Matters”. Dr. Miller is a professor at University of Michigan and a member of Al Gore’s Committee on Climate Change.
Friday, April 23
- ·ARTISTS OF THE EARTH (Old Town, 5 – 7 pm, Open to the public, FREE) – Old Town showcases Michigan’s Artists for the Earth and their works. Old Town galleries, studios, boutiques, and cafes will welcome visitors and highlight one of their Michigan-made products, photography, artwork of many mediums, and fresh organic foods and drinks.
Friday, April 23, 2010 Artists for the Earth benefit concert at Old Town Temple Building with Michigan bands Four Finger Five and Ultraviolet Hippopotamus. Ticket proceeds will support the HELP HIPPO GO GREEN fund, benefiting the conversion of their Ford E-350 diesel bus to run on used veggie oil. This is an 18+ event, $10 general admission, $20 VIP, doors 8pm.
Saturday, April 24, 2010 Lansing Community College presents FREE classroom workshops and guest speakers on a variety of topics relating to alternative energy, climate change, sustainable foods, and other environmental challenges currently facing our communities. Sessions will be held on the main campus in the Arts & Sciences building located at 419 North Washington Square, room 170. Presentations will be held from 9am – Noon.
Saturday, April 24, 2010 The Schupan Family Eco-Fest on the lawn of the State Capitol building. FREE to all with plenty of eco-activities for earthlings of all ages. 2,000 Michigan White Pine seedlings will be handed out along with reusable, recycled tote bags. Kids can play in a 100% recycled village and help add-on with additional recycled paper, cardboard, and scraps. LCC-TV & GoGreen! Lansing will be collecting written and video GREEN pledges and B the E statements. Mama Bears conscious café will be located on the lawn with vegan and veggie wraps. A community campfire circle will feature Michigan performers including storytellers, poets, musicians, and more. 10am – 5pm.
Saturday, April 24, 2010 Lansing City Market celebrates their Grand Re-Opening. Catch the CATA trolley from the Schupan Family Eco-Fest at the Capitol for a round-trip ride to the City Market where new vendors and returning vendors will showcase their Michigan goods and products. The Market will be working on the groundbreaking of the Market Community Garden.
Saturday, April 24, 2010 The Temple Ball wraps up Earth Day Lansing with a full concert production including Colorado’s The Foot, performance artist Charlie Slick and headliners Four Finger Five. This is an 18+ show, $10 general admission, $20 VIP. Beverage sales will directly support the Old Town Commercial Association.
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