Taking advantage of retirement incentives offered by amendments to the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System, or MPSERS, 17,063 school employees across 95 percent of school districts filed to retire before the June 11 deadline, according to a press release Friday from Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s office.
Children circled through numerous stations to examine fossils of fish, bugs and several other organisms and learn about their significance on the first day of a fossil camp hosted by the MSU Museum. The annual Fossil Camp at the MSU Museum began Monday with a class of 12 students.
When MSU alumna Michelle Adams was a senior at MSU, she took a course about sustainability in the production of apparel and textiles. The class showed Adams she could combine her passion for sustainability with design, and it inspired her to start her own textile company, Rubie Green, in 2007.
More than 40 people went to the Harris Nature Center’s Howl at the Moon monthly night walk at 9 p.m. Friday. The walk was about 2.8 miles through the trails behind the center.
Max’s Race, a 5K run/walk to raise money for Cure Kids Cancer and the Maxwell C. Matthews Foundation, was held Saturday at MSU to celebrate its sixth year of fundraising to benefit children’s cancer research. Although Max did not have cancer, the family thought raising money for children’s cancer research was the best way to make people aware of the illnesses to which children are subjected.
To inform citizens about the importance of knowing one’s HIV status, the Michigan Department of Community Health, or MDCH, recognized Sunday’s National HIV Testing Day. Across Michigan, there are more than 18,000 people diagnosed with HIV. About 4,000 of that number are unaware they have the virus and could spread the disease without understanding the complications.
Barbara Conley, an MSU cancer specialist, was selected to be the new associate director of the Cancer Diagnosis Program at the National Cancer Institute, or NCI, in Maryland. Conley will leave in mid-August after serving about five years as the chief of MSU’s Division of Hematology and Oncology, a position that enabled her to oversee projects at MSU, such as the development of the Clinical Cancer Research Center and the MSU Breslin Cancer Center.
Lansing resident Lori James gave her 9-year-old son, Daniel, his first $10 to spend but said he could only have it if he spent it wisely. Walking around the booths, activities and attractions Saturday afternoon at the Delta Rocks! Family Festival, at Sharp Park, 1401 Elmwood Road, in Lansing, Daniel James did a scan of everything before he chose what to buy. The annual festival was held Saturday afternoon from noon to 6 p.m. and showcased dozens of free, family-friendly activities, including a petting zoo, games, face painting, a business expo, concessions and pony rides.
In observance of the Fourth of July holiday, the MSU Museum will be closed July 3 through July 5. The museum will resume operation July 6, with regular hours from 9 a.m.
The Tri-County Bicycle Association’s 30th annual Women on Wheels bicycle tour will be held 7 a.m. July 24 at Mason High School, 1001 S. Barnes St., in Mason. The organization expects more than 500 women, men and children to ride country roads southeast of the Lansing area.
At a network reception with 65 other teams of finalists and about 250 people in the profession, political theory and constitutional democracy senior Maria Bianchi and political theory and constitutional democracy senior Laura Kovacek were announced as the winners on June 10. The top six teams were invited to go to Washington, D.C. during Media Scholars Week, where they meet individuals who work for advertising and marketing with companies such as Facebook, Google and CNN.
Although a three-day strike of local American Red Cross union workers did little to significantly impact blood donations, there is an increased need for certain blood types at this time, said Monica Stoneking, communications manager for the American Red Cross’ Great Lakes Region. Locations across campus, including Wednesday’s blood drive at the MSU Physical Plant, continue accepting volunteers willing to donate.
200 classes began at MSU on Wednesday as part of 4-H Exploration Days — a pre-college program designed for career exploration and hands-on learning experiences. About 2,500 students from across the state participated with ages ranging from 11-19. The sessions span a variety of categories, such as aerospace, animal and veterinary science, environmental education and outdoor adventure challenge.
Enviro-weather, an MSU-sponsored website that collects weather-related data for agricultural workers, is attempting to find private donors to counteract a $40,000 budget deficit due to state cuts in the university’s funding. If the deficit is not filled, some of the 64 statewide weather stations might have to close or reduce services.
As the university eliminates landlines in residence halls, the MSU Department of Residence Life and the MSU police are increasing the number of emergency green light phones across campus. The Green Light Telephone System involves telephones strategically placed across campus on walkways, roads, parking areas, and buildings, including the Natural Science Building, Bessey, Berkey and Wells halls. They are soon to be installed on every floor of each residence hall.
With the recent economic downturn, developers have had to take measures to make sure their land will sell. An attempt to rezone land in East Lansing, to be voted on July 20, was discussed by the East Lansing City Council on Tuesday night. Caddis Development Group, LLC is requesting to rezone a property located at 1525 W. Lake Lansing Road from restricted office business district to retail sale business district.
MSU veterinarians are taking part in a study to combat several types of cancers found in dogs, which researchers said could help improve treatments for humans. The From Bark to Bedside project is a two-year, $5.3 million study focusing on the genetics that cause cancer in breeds of canines. The project is being led by the Van Andel Institute in Grand Rapids, and will focus on five cancers between five to 10 different dog breeds.
To help deal with about 14 million annual transactions, all Michigan Secretary of State offices are accepting Discover and MasterCard payments at the counter. In addition to new credit card options, branch office customers also can pay with cash or check.
The 10th annual Delta Rocks! Family Festival will take place from 12-6 p.m. Saturday at Sharp Park, 1401 Elmwood Road, in Lansing. The festival will feature numerous activities, including chalk art, clowns, pony rides, a petting zoo, a rock climbing wall, crafts, kids’ bingo, face painting, an obstacle course, a business expo and many more games.
A Brys Estate Wine Dinner featuring winemaker Coenraad Stassen will be held 7-9 p.m. Thursday in The State Room at Kellogg Center. The Brys Estate Vineyard and Winery is a Michigan-based 32-acre vineyard with more than 28,000 vines.