February 6 – April 2 — RecycleMania, East Lansing. RecycleMania is an annual eight-week recycling competition between more than 600 colleges and universities across the United States. The goal is to increase recycling awareness in a fun and friendly competition. How can MSU Spartans participate? 1) Be aware of recycle bins located in every building. Use them properly. 2) Encourage fellow classmates, faculty and staff to recycle. 3) BE SPARTAN GREEN! Recycle on a regular basis! MSU Goal: 1 million pounds! Visit www.recyclemania.org.

March 6 — Healthy Sisters Founder’s Day Tea, East Lansing. The Chi Epsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. focuses on the needs and concerns of families in their community. The organization provides community service and empowerment while promoting sisterhood. This Day Tea will be held at 3 p.m. at the Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbott Road. A stellar panel of African American women in the health profession will be featured to address concerns and share their expertise in specific subject areas. This event signals the organization’s second year of hosting the tea and healthy refreshments to family and friends. Call (517) 775-9147 or e-mail inventor54@aol.com.

March 11-12 — St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, Grand Ledge. This annual celebration is set in historic downtown Grand Ledge and consists of two nights of Irish dance performances, lots of Irish music, a grand parade and more. Bring family and friends all in green and may the luck of the Irish be with you. Call (517) 627-8360 or visit www.glstpats.org.

March 11-13 — Caravan Youth Center Circus, East Lansing. The Caravan Youth Center Circus is pleased to be continuing the fine tradition of the circus with lions, elephants and other performances. It offers fun, light-hearted, family entertainment at the Breslin Center, 1 Birch Road. We welcome the jugglers and quick-change artists who amaze; the aerialist who is so beautiful, strong and balanced; the high-wire performers whose skills make us gasp, and of course, the smiling clowns who make us laugh. Four shows available: Two and a half hours with intermission. Children under 2 do not need a ticket, but must sit on a lap. Parking: $7. Visit www.caravancircus.com.

March 14 — Sarah McLachlan & Friends, East Lansing. Grammy Award–winning singer and songwriter Sarah McLachlan has recently announced her highly anticipated 2011 tour, following her new album Laws of Illusion. You’ll hear the strength of hard–earned independence; the trials of love won, lost and found anew; and the infinite joys of living. In addition, the supporting cast for Laws of Illusion includes the much–traveled drummer Matt Chamberlain, who’s played with everyone from Pearl Jam to John Mayer; and guitarist Colin Cripps, best known for his work with Canadian singer/songwriter Kathleen Edwards. Performance is held at Wharton Center: Cobb Great Hall, Bogue St. and Wilson Road from 7:30-9:30 p.m. with tickets: $35, $50, $65. Call (800) 942-7866 or visit www.whartoncenter.com.

March 17-20 — Lansing Home & Garden Show, East Lansing. The strongest Home & Garden show in the Mid Michigan area fills the MSU Pavilion, 4301 Farm Lane Road. Incredible gardens, extensive landscaping projects, a Standard Flower Show and four free seminar stages surround hundreds of exhibits featuring construction, remodeling, kitchens and baths, retail garden centers, pools, spas and more. Adults $8, children (6-14) $4, kids five and under are free. Call (616) 447-2860 or visit www.showspan.com/LHG/Home.aspx.

March 19-20 — Maple Syrup Festival, Lansing. March means maple syrup! As winter comes to a close and the sun’s rays become warmer, the trees begin to awaken for the coming growing season, causing the sap to rise in our sugar maple grove. Come help us celebrate this uniquely North American tradition. We will demonstrate how the bland sap has been collected and made into delightfully sweet syrup throughout the ages. Warm up in the visitor center at the Fenner Nature Center, 2020 Mt. Hope, with hot chocolate and sample some maple syrup and maple sugar, also available for purchase. Free festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call (517) 483-4224 or visit www.mynaturecenter.org.

March 27 — Michigan Buggy Builders Trade Show & Swap Meet, Lansing. The 30th Annual Michigan Buggy Builders Volkswagen & Dune Buggy Trade Show and Swap Meet is a one-day event that’s fun for the entire family. Held at the Lansing Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fees: $8 General Admission, kids 12 & under free. New and used automotive parts, car show, manufacturers’ display, tech seminars, off-road apparel, collectibles, toys and entertainment for the kids. Call Michael (517) 402-1303 or visit www.buggybuilders.com.

March 27 — Road to Wrestlemania Tour Smackdown, East Lansing. Don’t miss this special tour! See all of your favorite Smackdown superstars live in action. Including: Edge, Rey Mysterio, The Big Show, Kane Kofi Kingston, Jack Swagger, Cody Rhodes, Chavo Guerrero, The Divas and more. The best value in entertainment with tickets starting at $15. Tickets now on sale online. Cameras: 35 mm acceptable. No videotaping. Doors open: 4 p.m. Parking: $7/car. Tour is at the Breslin Center, 1 Birch Road from 5-7 p.m. Call (800) 968-2737 or visit www.breslincenter.com.

April 14-17 — Capital City Film Festival, Lansing. Located in downtown Lansing, the Capital City Film Festival is a showcase of the best film has to offer. With screenings, live music, panel discussions and more scattered across various downtown Capital City venues, don’t miss your chance to be a part of the festivities! Visit www.capitalcityfilmfest.com.

April 16 — Document Destruction Day, Lansing. Got any old documents you just can’t wait to get rid of? Don’t have the capacity to shred them all? Don’t worry! Let the Old Town Commercial Association and Friedland Industries take care of those for you. Document Destruction Day is a free recycling day where community members can drive thru, drop off unwanted papers and have them properly disposed of at Friedland Industries, 405 E. Maple St. from 8 a.m. to noon. What’s an acceptable document? Everything from junk mail to old legal documents and tax records. So mark your calendars and line up early because it’s sure to be a busy day. Visit www.iloveoldtown.org.

April 23 — Annual Easter Egg Hunt, Leslie. Bunny-hop your way to Russell Park, 298 N. Main St., for the City of Leslie’s annual egg hunt. Event starts at 10 a.m. and is sponsored by The Leslie Firefighters. Visit www.cityofleslie.org.

February-March — Auditions: Mid Michigan Family Theatre, Lansing. Winter and spring show auditions are underway. Auditions are open to anyone, any age. You need attend only one night of auditions. Parents do need to accompany minor children in order to complete paperwork. Performances are held on Fri., Sat. and Sun. Ticket prices are $6/adult and school-age children, $4/preschool and younger. The theater is located in the Frandor Shopping Center between Holden-Reid and Dress Barn. Shows to run: The Secret Lives of Toads, Keeper of the Tales, The Twelve Dancing Princesses and Folk Tales for Fun. For information call Bill Gordon (517) 862-6448 or e-mail midmichfamilytheatre@gmail.com.

March 2 — Children’s Art Sessions, Lansing. Children’s art classes taught by art instructor, Rebecca Stafford, will be on Wednesdays from 3:30-5 p.m. and is a four-week workshop for $45/person. Held at the Gallery 1212 Fine Art and Studios, 1212 Turner St. Call to register (517) 999-1212 or visit www.gallery1212.com.

March 5 — 3rd Annual Mason Area Women’s Expo, Mason. Head on down to the Ingham County Fairgrounds, Main Arena, 700 E. Ash St. from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit booths, network and see the latest offerings from many local businesses and organizations. Call (517) 676-0788.

March 5 — Children’s Craft Camp, Lansing. Calling all crafty kids to have a fun day of crafting at Turner-Dodge, 100 E. North St. Children will use multiple crafting techniques to make numerous projects. Time: 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for a fee of $12/child, please bring a sack lunch. To reserve your child’s spot, call (517) 483-4220.

March 19 — Photography Workshop, Lansing. Chicago Art Institute Instructor, Roger Roy Frye, teaches a one day workshop on photography, “How to get your Digital Camera off Auto.” Class is held at the Gallery 1212 Fine Art and Studios, 1212 Turner St., from 1-4 p.m. for only $30/person. For more information and to register, call (517) 999-1212 or visit www.gallery1212.com.

March 26 — Master Works 5: Passion & Fury, East Lansing. The Lansing Symphony welcomes Lansing’s own Melissa White home for one of the most beloved concertos of all time — Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto. A member of the critically-acclaimed Harlem String Quartet, White brings momentum from her exciting young career back to her home town. Next, enjoy Haydn’s Symphony No. 49 La Passione, and its beautifully melancholy melodies. Finish the evening with selections from Wagner’s Ring Cycle, including Ride of the Valkyries and other epic moments. Performance is at the Wharton Center and starts at 8 p.m. Visit www.lansingsymphony.org.

March 26 — Eisenhower Dance Ensemble, Charlotte. Celebrating its 20th anniversary as Michigan’s premier contemporary dance company, the Eisenhower Dance Ensemble has received overwhelming critical acclaim across the nation. In a special return engagement, the company presents a split program featuring its favorite works from the past 20 years and selections from its “Dances from the Heart of Rock ‘n Roll” repertoire. A special Italian Smorgasbord Dinner & Show package is available for $33/person. Dinner is served at the Eaton Area Senior Center. Performance is at the Charlotte Performing Arts Center, 378 State St. from 7:30-9:30 p.m., $26/$16 student. Call (517) 541-5690 or visit www.cpacpresents.com.

January 1 – March 13 — Perspectives Gallery: American Roads, East Lansing. This portfolio of photographs explores America’s mythological love affair with “the road.” This myth is perpetuated in literature, film and music and by the personal experience of countless Americans. Assembled as a series in 1981, the 20 works examine the wide range of feelings experienced while traveling the highways and byways of the United States: freedom, excitement, fear, loneliness and boredom, all triggered by common sights, at once familiar and yet mysterious. Rural and city scenes, cars and roadside attractions are featured. Held at Kresge Art Center, Gallery 101 & 114 and is free. For show times call (517) 353-9834 or visit www.artmuseum.msu.edu.

February 6 – April 27 — Photography Exhibit Highlights the International Travels of an African American Pioneer, Lansing. A collection of photographs by Merze Tate (1905-1996) will be on display in the Belen Gallery at the Michigan Women’s Historical Center & Hall of Fame. Tate, a 1990 inductee in the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame, achieved many “firsts” in her time, including the distinction of being the first African American to graduate from Oxford University in England. The exhibit includes dozens of never-before seen photographs highlighting Tate’s adventures as a world traveler. Call (517) 484-1880 x202 or visit www.michiganwomenshalloffame.org.

January 29 thru May 15 — Grossology: The (Impolite) Science of the Human Body, Lansing. Sometimes it’s stinky. Sometimes it’s crusty. Sometimes it’s slimy. Explore why your body produces mushy, oozy, crusty, scaly and stinky gunk at Grossology! This 2,500-square-foot traveling exhibit is at Impression 5. Visit grossologytour.com for a sneak peek at its features! Call (517) 485-8116 x 32 or visit www.impression5.org.

March 5 — Quiet Water Symposium, East Lansing. The Quiet Water Symposium celebrates non-motorized outdoor recreation and a shared concern for our Great Lakes environment. At the Symposium, located at The MSU Pavilion, Mt. Hope and Farm Lane from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., visitors will find presentations by world-famous authors, photographers and expedition travelers. You will find clubs and nature centers. Handcrafted and historic watercraft will be on display. Biking, hiking and water trails are represented. Conservation and watershed groups are available. A number of outfitters and liveries are represented to support your outdoor adventures. Visit www.quietwatersymposium.org.

March 1, 15, 22, 29 — Mom to Mom, East Lansing. Continues each Tuesday from 9:30-11:30 a.m. to encourage and equip moms of all ages and all stages as they parent their children. There is food and fellowship, Biblically-based teaching and small group discussions for moms. Child care is provided up to age 3; Kids to Kids is for the 3-5 year olds and offers Bible stories, crafts, music, snacks and gym. River Terrace Church, 1509 River Terrace. Call (517) 351-9059 or visit www.riverterrace.org.

March 11 — Winter Campfires, Okemos. Have you ever taken a stroll through the woods on a cold winter’s night? Join our naturalists for this special experience. Depending on the weather, we will explore astronomy, survival skills, nocturnal animal senses, owling and pioneer storytelling. After the hike, we will all gather around our campfire to drink hot chocolate or hot spiced cider and eat campfire-warmed snacks. Can’t wait to see you at the Harris Nature Center, 3998 Van Atta Road, from 7-9 p.m. with a cost of $5/person or $15/ family. Call (517) 483-4224 or visit www.mynaturecenter.org.

March 12 — Relaxing Yoga for Home Practice, Bath. Half-day retreat at the Self Realization Meditation Healing Centre from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Includes a relaxing Transformation Hatha Yoga class, for all levels and abilities, with time to make notes so that you may easily continue this practice at home; a delicious home cooked vegetarian lunch and refreshments. $35/person. Treat yourself to a longer retreat by either arriving Friday evening or staying until Sunday morning for just $47 more. A private room may also be available. Preregistration required. Call (517) 641-6201 visit www.selfrealizationcentremichigan.org.

March 18-20 — Transformational Healing Retreat, Bath. Includes a private appointment to receive Natural Spiritual Healing and learn a healing breath; a group Transformation Hatha Yoga class, with individual attention to each student, for all levels and abilities; time for meditation, together or on your own; plenty of free time to rest, read, contemplate, walk in area woodlands, or whatever else your heart calls you to do. Also includes delicious home-cooked vegetarian meals from Friday lunch through Sunday lunch and comfortable shared accommodations in a quiet country setting. $240/person in a shared room, $288 in a private room or $380 in a private suite. Please ask about a bursary if you cannot afford the full fees. Self Realization Meditation Healing Centre. Preregistration required. Call (517) 641-6201 visit www.selfrealizationcentremichigan.org.

March 24-26 — March Magic Hoopfest, East Lansing. An interactive basketball playground for children of all ages at MSU’s Jenison Field House during the MHSAA Boys’ Basketball Semi-Finals and Finals. This event is located adjacent to the Breslin Student Events Center where the tournament games are played. 2-7 p.m. March 24; School Field Trips 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and open to the public 2-8:30 p.m. March 25; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on March 26. Admission to the Hoopfest will be free to all persons who hold a ticket to the MHSAA Boys or Girls Basketball Semi-Finals or Finals, all others $2. Purchase tickets to the Hoopfest and the MHSAA games at Jenison Field House. Call (866) 449-1425 or visit www.marchmagichoopfest.com.

April 9 — Zoo Volunteer Recruitment Day, Lansing. Want to become a Potter Park Zoo volunteer? Here’s your opportunity to find out what it’s all about. Check out some of our many volunteer programs, talk with current volunteers and experience a special animal enrichment. This session will be held in the Safari Room from 10 a.m. to noon. Visit www.potterparkzoo.org.

April 29 — YMCA 5k Pump & Run, Lansing. This road race starts at the downtown Lansing YMCA at 6 p.m. Pump & Run adds the challenge of weight lifting in the mix. You can reduce your time by 30 seconds per bench press repetition, with a max number of 30 reps (equal to 15 minutes). Men required to press their body weight; women required to press 65 percent of their body weight. Not into weight lifting? Just sign up for the 5K portion. Please note, the race will end at the YMCA and food and beverages will be provided. Locker rooms will be open to participants for use both prior to and following event as well. For pricing and more details call (517) 827-9645 or e-mail 5kpumprun@gmail.com.

March 19 — 80s Flashback, Lansing. We relish the excess and outrageous fashions that the 80s managed to make mainstream. We don’t accessorize, we excessorize (and love it)! We figure it’s only time someone brought it back. CAWLM will use this signature event to donate a portion of the proceeds to the Westside Commercial Association to a mural arts program in the Westside Lansing community. Fab food/beverages, dancing, live music by 80s cover band Starfarm — see your big hair there! Moreover, it’s a kick-off to CAWLM’s “Caring About Women Locally” — annual award. The event is at the Washington Street Armory from 7 p.m. to midnight. $25/person, $40/couple or $10/student (adult fundraiser). Sponsorship opportunities still available. Call (517) 203.3333.

March 19 — 11th Annual MSU Tower Guard Shamrock 5k, East Lansing. Tower Guard, an honors society committed to the service of students with disabilities hosts the Shamrock 5k with all proceeds going to the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities on campus. Help a great cause, have fun and go for a run! This road race begins at 101 Conrad Hall at 11 a.m. E-mail kalwanis@msu.edu.

March 20 — Ambulance Chase 5k Run/Walk, East Lansing. This fun run begins at MSU College of Law; parking: Shaw Ramp or Wharton Ramp, 368 Law College Bldg. and starts at 1 p.m. Proceeds from this event will support the Michigan Protection & Advocacy Service, whose mission is to advocate and protect the legal rights of people with disabilities. $20 with shirt or $15 without shirt, packet pick-up: 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. on race day. Visit www.runningfoundation.com/MSU_Law_5k.html or e-mail msulaw5k@gmail.com.

March 25 — Wine Tasting Benefit, East Lansing. Join us for an elegant evening featuring more than 100 different varieties of fine wine to sample and savor, along with door prizes and silent auction. The benefit is at the Kellogg Center from 7:30-9:30 p.m. with a ticket price of $40/person available at the MSU Museum Store and Goodrich’s ShopRite. Call (517) 432-4655.

April 2 — Taste and Tour of Old Town, Lansing. Food. Sun. Shopping. Really, what reason is there to not go to the Taste and Tour? This annual event opens the doors to the magic of Old Town. Businesses and restaurants put on quite a show from noon to 5 p.m. For the third year in a row, Old Town is opening up some of its lofts — they’re worth seeing. They’re very big-city, but their real value is the comforting and quiet streets they overlook. And while you enjoy the loft tours, you can also savor samplings of Old Town’s delicious restaurants. This is a fundraiser for the OTCA, which helps to continue its mission of revitalizing the Old Town district. Visit www.iloveoldtown.org.

April 3 — Run to Remember 5k, East Lansing. Please join Beta Alpha Psi in their efforts to battle Alzheimers. This road race takes place on the blooming campus of MSU, where the spring flowers are coming to life. The race begins and ends at the Auditorium Bldg. on Farm Lane Road, and is followed by an awards ceremony, refreshing snacks and a free raffle for all runners. For pricing and more facts visit www.runningfoundation.com/runto_remember.html or e-mail bap5krun@gmail.com.

April 9 — Bloom into Spring, Lansing. A fashion show fundraiser for paws! Come mingle with your friends, enjoy munchies and donate to a needed cause. Held at the Quality Suites Hotel, 901 Delta Commerce Dr., east of Horrocks, from 1-3 p.m. Donations accepted at the door for Paws. Chinese auction, fabulous prizes and stunning jewelry by Touchstone as well as Partylite Candles. RSVP call (517) 256-6340 or e-mail candlesrock@aol.com.