Spring is here! That means bring out the bikes and enjoy the weather. From now until the end of May during day light hours free air is being made available for filling bike tires. Don’t lug your bike to the gas station and pay for air when you can get it for free right here in the Pinecrest neighborhood. The Thompson family has an air filling hose in front of their house located at 1918 Winchester Dr. and they invite anyone needing air to stop by and fill up for free.

The fall meeting of the Pinecrest Neighborhood Association was held at Pinecrest Elementary School at 7 PM on Monday, September 24, 2007. Click here for an agenda.
Richard Hanna asked to step down as VP due to outstanding travel committments. Doug Nordhaus was appointed VP by the PNA officers. Doug will serve until elections next April. Also dates were set for the annual Halloween Parade (Sunday, October 28, 2007 at 3:00 PM) and next year's Big Garage Sale (Saturday, June 14, 2008.) Minutes will be posted as soon as available.

Holly Richmond of 1306 Ramblewood Drive (Tel.  332-2970) has reported the collapse of her 40 year old clay tile sewer line under the sidewalk and road. She does not believe it is the result of tree root invasion. She suspects it is a direct result of recent intensive use of the streets and sidewalks by equipment involved in sidewalk repairs. Unfortunately, there is no clear evidence at this time to substantiate her claim and it appears that she will be hit with a very significant expense involving road excavation, restoration and paving. When it is repaired, the crew may find additional information about the cause. She passes this information on as a warning to other neighborhood residents. However, she also notes that hers is one of the first homes built in the area and that construction of sewer lines may have been different in other parts of the neighborhood.

A public hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, November 7, 2007 at 7:30 P.M., Council Chambers, 101 Linden Street, to consider matters related to the propsal by Meijer to develop a convenience store and gas station on the northeast corner of Lake Lansing and Marfitt Roads. Click here for the council meeting agenda

The Fourth Annual Pinecrest Halloween Parade will be held on Sunday, October 28, 2007 at 3:00 PM in Henry Fine Park. Kids should be in costume and bring their treat bag with them. Adults -- Please join the fun in costume! Bring the Whole Family!!!
Click here for pictures of the 2006 Parade
Click here for pictures of the 2007 Parade

The fourth of July will soon be here.  Many will celebrate Independence Day with family gatherings and cookouts, singing patriotic songs, displaying American flags, and of course, fireworks. I've heard concerns from some Pinecrest residents about illegal firework displays in the park and residences.  According to the EL Police, any fireworks that leave the ground, flies in the air or makes loud noises is not allowed.   These not only disturb the peace, but also create hazards for others.   So, I am passing on the the request to refrain from shooting rockets, blasting firecrackers,  and other over-the-edge pyrotechnic displays.  As an alternative, pack a cooler, bug repellent, and some lawn chairs and head out to the mall or one of the other big public fireworks displays in the evening.
If you do observe illegal fireworks in the park or elsewhere, the EL Police ask that you give them a call at their regular police line:  351-4220.  They said not to call 911 unless there's a real emergency.   They get a lot of calls about fireworks around this time of the year, and will check it out if you call. Have a safe and enjoyable Fourth!

The Pinecrest Neighborhood Bike Rally was held on Saturday, June 9, 2007 with more than 100 residents participating in the fun -- bike decorating, bike safety, bike registrations and a big parade lead by the EL Police. Many thanks to ELPD officers Ryan Kuhn and Mark Smith and Cadet Jeff Horn. Thanks also to Tim Potter of the MSU Bike Project who provided excellent help with bike maintenance too. Click here for pictures of the event. You can find the Bike Safety rules by clicking here.

Meijer has proposed development of a combined gas station and convenience store. A public information meeting was held on May 21, 2007. Click here for a summary of the meeting. A public hearing was held by the EL Planning Commission on June 27, 2007 at 7 PM in the 54B District Court at EL city hall. The planning commision will make their recommendation to the City Council on July 11.
Contact Darcy Schmitt (dschmitt@ci.east-lansing.mi.us)
on the EL Planning Staff for more information.

There are two opportunities to host a student from Japan.

1. Host families are needed for high school students from Japan who will be here August 11-21, 2007. They will attend classes at MSU from 8 am-5pm. If interested contact Marilyn at marilyn500@aol.com.
2. One family is needed to be a friendship family for a college student from Japan. The student is part of a group of Hosei University students who spend the fall semester at MSU taking English classes. Students live in the dorms but are matched with a family in the community to learn about other aspects of life in Michigan. For more information contact David at 517 484-1069 Home or 517 484-5588 (Work),
dprice@maro.org. (Joy Whitten)

The Pinecrest Neighborhood Picnic was held on Thurdsay, July 26, at Pinecrest Elementary School. There was lots of fun for everyone! The East Lansing Kiwanis Band performed and the Balloon Man made many artful creations for the children (and a few adults too.)
Click here for pictures from the 2006 Picnic!
Click here for pictures from the 2007 Picnic!

The Pinecrest Neighborhood Garage Sale is set for Saturday, June 16. Click here for a list of sales and map.

The next PNA meeting will be held at 7 PM on Monday, June 11, 2007 at Pinecrest Elementary School. Discussion topics include: Proposed Meijer development, sidewalk repairs, garage sale and bike rally, picnic planning, ash tree problems, and other topics as needed. Darcy Schmitt, EL planning staff will attend to answer questions about the Meijer gas station and convenience store proposal. All Pinecrest residents are welcome.

Several of our residents have commented on the poor condition of the tennis courts in Henry Fine Park.  The surface is rough and broken in places and the fence has large holes with sharp wire.  These conditions present safety issues for children at the school and others too.  Cindy Blakeslee, the Pinecrest Principal, bars students from playing on or near the courts for safety reasons.  Everyone so far agrees that some fix-up is needed, but who is responsible is in question.  Tim McCaffrey from the city indicated that the courts were transferred to the EL Public Schools in 1992.  ELPS staff were unaware of such a responsibility, until residents started asking for repairs.  Now, lawyers for the schools are checking into just who is the "official" keeper of the tennis courts.  We're hoping that an answer, and some repairs occur before summer arrives.

Captain Tom Johnstone reported (2/22) that there have been no recent break-ins in the Pinecrest Neighborhood after the crime spree last month. Johnstone said that they are continuing to patrol our area with both marked and unmarked cars.  Two suspects have been charged in some of the Lansing crimes, but not charged yet in the East Lansing burglaries.  Detective Dan DeKorte is handling the investigation into the East Lansing breakins.

Safety First! Even though Phil the groundhog predicted a shorter winter, we've still got plenty of winter, and snow, around us. Snow-covered sidewalks make it more hazardous for everyone on foot. Lots of people walk around our neighborhood - some to school, some just for exercise. We've heard from walkers that some areas are very dangerous. It just makes good common sense to keep walkways safely free from snow and ice. If your neighbor is gone for a while, why not help out and run that snowblower just a little more down the block to clear their sidewalk too! The city requires snow-covered sidewalks to be cleared by residents within 24 hours.

You’ve probably heard that the Emerald Ash Borer is spreading in the Lansing area, including around Pinecrest.  This year, we are sure to find more dead or dying ash trees.  If you’re planning on planting a tree this spring, there are plenty of great alternatives. Click here for lists of other good trees for your property.  If you've got a tree question, you might contact Mike Vasievich (our neighborhood forester) at mvasie@msu.edu. By the way, Arbor Day in Michigan this year is Friday, April 27.

East Lansing low-cost offer of trees in the Restoration Of Our Trees" or ROOT program Sold Out within a week! Available species WERE: Red Maple, Sugar Maple, Red Oak, Littleaf Linden, Tulip Tree and Ginko. Click here for more.

More than seventy Pinecrest residents turned out for the Neighborhood Watch meeting in the Pinecrest School Gym on Monday evening.  Residents got an update on recent burglaries and home safety tips from East Lansing Police Captain Tom Johnstone, Lt. Kevin Daley, head of the Detective Bureau, and School Resource Officer Steve Whelan.  The officers distributed home safety information and answered questions about recent incidents.
They emphasized that residents are the “eyes and ears” for the community and should call police immediately (351-4220 or 911 if an emergency) whenever anything seems out of the ordinary. 
Neighborhood Watch Coordinator, Rob Thompson, asked people to sign up as block captains.  If interested, please contact Rob at RThomp2004@aol.com.  Several residents commended the ELPD for their quick and effective response and outstanding service when they were called to incidents.  Click here for ELPD Safety Reminders.

Lansing Police reported on Thursday, 2/1 that two young men, aged 16 and 18, were arrested Wednesday in a string of burglaries in the Lansing area, including the Pinecrest Neighborhood. Link here to the news in the Lansing State Journal.

If you missed the segments about the Pinecrest break-ins on WILX (TV10) and WSYM (Fox47) on 1/31, you can click the station links above. TV video is used with permission.

Join Pinecrest neighbors and a representative of the EL Police Department at Neighborhood Watch meeting to discuss recent burglaries and community safety. Monday, February 5, 2007 at Pinecrest School, 7:00 PM.
Download the meeting flyer here.

This is the new Pinecrest Neighborhood Association Website. Check out the links in the navigation panel on the left. The Weather Button goes to the Pinecrest weather station. See the Pinecrest Cam by clicking on the playground picture, bottom left. Pinecrest Map takes you to our neighborhood on Google maps. Stay tuned for more.

According to the EL police, serious crime in the Pinecrest Neighborhood is rare.  We may take safety and security for granted, but we should always be alert for strange vehicles, suspicious activity, or unexpected persons.  Unfortunately, reports of recent neighborhood break-ins remind us to always watch out in our neighborhood.  These break-ins occurred during daylight hours when no one was home and cash was taken. 

According to EL Police Chief Tom Wilbert, "If people could keep a special eye out for strange cars or trucks parked in your neighbor's driveway, that would be very helpful.  If you could call ELPD, that would be a good thing.  We'll come out and check things out.  If you come home and the door is open, or there is a strange car in your driveway, don't go in the house.  Go up the block and call ELPD immediately and we will check the house and make sure that it is safe."

Neighborhood resident, Rob Thompson offers these
reminders to keep your home safe:
- Keep all vehicles, doors and windows locked at all times. (day or night)
- For now, leave porch lights on all night long.
- Leave a radio on during the day for noise and lights on at night so it appears you are home if you are not.
- Be vigilant, watch your neighbor's house and make sure they are watching yours.
- If you see something that doesn't look right- it probably isn't. Report it! (911)

Rob is organizing a Neighborhood Watch evening meeting to be held at Pinecrest School soon.  Stay tuned for more info.