Category: Fun & Resources

Learn about fun and/or interesting things to do around MSU or interesting bits of MSU trivia.

Winter Farmers Market Continues Through April

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Who says you can’t find fresh home-grown goods in the winter? The Meridian Township Farmers Market comes out to Meridian Mall in Okemos every first and third Saturday of the month from December to April. Approximately 25-30 unique vendors are present at each market day. The event is located in the JC Penney corridor of the mall from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m., and will continue through April 19.Meridian Mall Farmers Market

Everything that is sold at the farmers market is grown locally or within the state of Michigan. It is the vendors’ commitment to the quality of their products and services that results in continued support from the community. The event will not only give the public an opportunity to purchase fresh, locally-grown produce, but it will also give them a chance to meet and talk to the farmers who provide the goods. Come in from the cold and see what these local providers have to offer! For more information about the farmers market, visit their Facebook page or the Meridian Charter Township website.

You may also wish to check out other great farmers markets open year-round in the Lansing area such as the Allen Street Farmers Market, Lansing City Market, Bath Farmers Market and the Holt Farmers Market.

Enjoy Low-Cost Open Skating at Munn Ice Arena!

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Snowflakes are still falling all over East Lansing as we’ve come to the halfway mark of the spring semester. Everyone seems to be taking it easy as we approach spring break. There’s no time like now for ice-skating at Munn Ice Arena. MSU faculty, staff and students only pay $4 for admission into the arena. Skate rentals are $2. Ice-skating can be a blast! So go ahead, throw on your favorite MSU sweatshirt, and take your family and friends out for some fun. After skating, go to your favorite coffee shop for a warm cup of hot chocolate. This formula guarantees a great day for everyone involved. Munn Ice Arena is located directly across from IM Sports West on Chestnut Road and the Breslin Student Event Center on Birch Road. Hope to see you there!

MSU Skate Club
The MSU Skate Club performs at Munn Ice Arena. Photo courtesy of Communications and Brand Strategy.

Find High-Quality Products at the MSU Meat Lab

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“Vegetables are interesting but lack a sense of purpose when unaccompanied by a good cut of meat.” Fran Lebowitz

The MSU Meat Laboratory has been teaching and educating future meat scientists for years. The Lab has also provided quality meat products to the MSU community. The 67,000 square foot facility is located in Anthony Hall and is directed by the Department of Animal Science and the Department of Food Science.

When you buy products from the MSU Meat Lab, you are buying “Spartan” meat.
When you buy products from the MSU Meat Lab, you are buying “Spartan” meat.

The Lab focuses on four areas: education, outreach/extension, meat judging and student employment. The Lab provides carcasses for class instruction and research projects. The Lab in conjunction with Meat Extension Specialists provides materials that educators use in trainings for youth and meat consumers. The Lab also provides employment opportunities for students to gain additional experience in the meat processing industry. In addition, the MSU Meat Lab competes in multiple meat judging programs each year.Continue Reading… Find High-Quality Products at the MSU Meat Lab

Things to Do in the Winter at MSU

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It may be chilly outside, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to stop. To help save you from boredom, here are seven things to do at MSU during the winter.

1. Go skating at Munn Ice Arena

Munn Ice Arena offers public skating at various times throughout the week. It is $4 for MSU faculty and staff and $5 for the general public. Skate rentals are available for $2.

This winter, enjoy the season and have fun at MSU.
This winter, enjoy the season and have fun at MSU.

2. Attend a recital or symphony produced by the College of Music

The College of Music produces several live performances each year. Performances take place in the College of Music or at the Wharton Center. Some performances are even free of charge. A list of this year’s performances and show times are available on the College of Music’s website. A list of the College of Music’s free concerts is available here.Continue Reading… Things to Do in the Winter at MSU

Discounts for MSU Employees!

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MSU faculty and staff receive plenty of discount opportunities at MSU, greater Lansing and beyond. These perks are at your disposal because of your dedication to MSU as a Spartan employee!

MSU Basketball Game
Photo courtesy of Communications and Brand Strategy.

Regardless of your unique interests, I’m positive there is some way or another you can benefit. Are you a lover of the arts? The Wharton Center for Performing Arts gives discounts to MSU employees for select performances. Or would you rather play some indoor tennis with a close friend? MSU employees receive a discount on tennis court rentals! More discounts can be found on the MSU HR Employee Discounts webpage. Here, you can find discounts and perks for hotels, computer services, books and much more. The page is updated regularly! Give it a look every once in a while to see what you can benefit from next.Continue Reading… Discounts for MSU Employees!

A Spartan Valentine’s Gift

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Valentine’s Day is this Friday. If you’re scrambling for gift ideas for someone special in your life, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.  We’ve come up with a list of great gift ideas that are available on MSU’s campus.

The 2006 MSU Women’s Gymnastics team forms a heart. Photo courtesy of Communications and Brand Strategy.
The 2006 MSU Women’s Gymnastics team forms a heart. Photo courtesy of Communications and Brand Strategy.

 

Purchase tickets to a play at the Wharton Center

The Wharton Center features Broadway plays year-round. Some of their shows this year include: Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, the Bob and Tom Comedy Show and the Rock of Ages.

Grab Spartan gear available from bookstores on or around campus

There are several bookstores that sell MSU-related clothing and paraphernalia, including the Spartan Bookstore, the Student Bookstore and Ned’s Bookstore.Continue Reading… A Spartan Valentine’s Gift

Getting ahead with the Family Resource Center and MSU Resources

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We know your work life is full. Take some off the stress of yourself by working with our partners here at MSU. The MSU Family Resource Center (FRC) has a ton of resources for the MSU community to benefit from, including but not limited to, housing benefits, tutoring for students K-12, transportation resources, health services, employment information and child care centers.

Teacher and Schoolchildren
Your family can benefit from MSU’s Family Resource Center! Photo courtesy of Communications and Brand Strategy.

This is a great time to explore what the FRC has to offer. Resources are offered at a low cost for MSU faculty and staff, and a significant amount of them are free! I’m confident that there is at least one program your family can benefit from. Check out the FRC’s website for useful links to MSU resources. Lastly, here are a few tips for a great spring semester!Continue Reading… Getting ahead with the Family Resource Center and MSU Resources

January is National Mentoring Month! Make a Difference in a Child or Teen’s Life through the Michigan 4-H Youth Development Program.

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January is National Mentoring Month.  According to mentorscout.com, “a mentor is a coach, guide, tutor, facilitator, counselor and trusted advisor. A mentor is someone willing to spend his or her time and expertise to guide the development of another person.”

Mentoring can make a positive impact on a child’s life that lasts a lifetime.
Mentoring can make a positive impact on a child’s life that lasts a lifetime.

Youth can benefit from positive and caring mentors. Mentors can help youth discover their interests, pick careers, make better choices in life and so much more. Michigan 4-H Youth Development, is a mentoring program overseen by MSU Extension and serves as a resource to help build long-term positive mentoring relationships between youth and adults.

Michigan 4-H has more than 200,000 youth between the ages of 5-19 that participate. All 4-H’s policies and procedures are based on child development research.Continue Reading… January is National Mentoring Month! Make a Difference in a Child or Teen’s Life through the Michigan 4-H Youth Development Program.

Become Nicotine Free in 2014

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There’s no better way to start the New Year then to decide to quit smoking. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 70 percent of people that smoke want to quit. If you’ve ever thought about quitting, then the MSU Breathe Easy: Tobacco and Nicotine Cessation Program is for you.

The MSU Breathe Easy: Tobacco and Nicotine Cessation Program is a 15 month program designed to help participants eliminate any tobacco/nicotine addiction through support group sessions, with or without the use of prescription medications. Items the program focuses on include: cigarettes, cigars, patches and e-cigarettes.

Health4U has one of the most successful tobacco/nicotine cessation programs in the country, as measured by a 15-month sustained cessation rate of over 27 percent.

Participants of the program enjoy many benefits when they quit smoking and stop using nicotine products, including fresher breath, whiter teeth, better breathing, and more money to spend on the things they enjoy.Continue Reading… Become Nicotine Free in 2014

Laughter is the Best Medicine

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The Lansing Laughter Club, sponsored by Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, is a group that meets weekly on Wednesdays from 6 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. on 480 Diagonal Street, at the church building. The laughter club is a non-profit, non-political, non-religious, community-based club that is free and open to the public.

Lansing Laughter Club
Join the Lansing Laughter Club weekly and release stress through laughter!

The purpose of this club is for anyone who would like to meet new people, alleviate stress and boost an overall good mood. This is done through the practice of Laughter Yoga, which means to laugh together for no reason. Laughter Yoga is an exercise used to release tension and anger or to overcome sadness and depression. The Laughter Club is open to anyone who would like to join regardless of age, gender, physical disabilities, etc. Laughter is an exercise that everyone can do, and it is healthy for the body and mind. Check out the Lansing Laughter Club and see how laughter can benefit you! Visit their website for more information.