To read a web-based version of this newsletter or past issues, please visit NelsonNews.Org |  | Free Dumpster Day |  | Start your spring cleaning at Nelson’s Dumpster Day.
Saturday, April 13 8:00 to 11:30 am 550 W. Grand Avenue Nelson School Parking Lot
Free dumpsters will be available to drop off items that usually require a bulk sticker. But, residents can not dispose of hazardous materials or tires.
Although neighbors will be there to greet you and to keep the day running smoothly, please come prepared to place your own items in the dumpster.
Dumpster Day Volunteers Needed
Please volunteer if you can help direct cars lining up to unload their trash, collect contact info, and tidy up the school parking lot after the event. Any amount of time that you can spare would be greatly appreciated. | | | Stop Writing Checks? |  | Here is the recipe for a real-life money nightmare experienced not just in Nelson but by thousands nationwide. You write and mail a check to cover your rent or another major bill. Weeks later, you learn that the check has yet to arrive. The bill has never been paid. Your phone's bank app shows that the mailed check has been cashed. You still owe the money, but the money is no longer in your checking account.
You are a check-washing victim.
According to The Detroit Free Press, check-washing is a scam that has quadrupled check fraud in the last few years. The problem is so widespread that large banks tell customers to stop writing checks!
How Check-Washing Works Criminals steal checks from USPS mailboxes or during mail delivery to our houses. Then, using common household chemicals, they wash away the original payee and, sometimes, the amount written on the check. Once the washing is complete, the criminal replaces the payee information with a different name and, perhaps, a new, higher amount. But your signature remains, so it looks like you wrote the check. Finally, the revised check is deposited or cashed, often using fake IDs.
Unlike some scams, check-washing fraud is hard to detect quickly. Many victims don't even realize it happened until someone, like the landlord, contacts them. Then they learn that their rent or other bills are late. Since the victim wrote and sent a check, they now have to prove fraud, try to recover lost funds, and find enough extra money to pay the outstanding bill.
Stay Safe if You Must Write Checks Use Fraud-Resistant Ink: Gel pens or pens with indelible black ink make washing checks more difficult. Hand-Deliver Payments: Don't send outgoing checks from your home mailbox or a street-side USPS collection box; mail bills inside the post office instead. Track Your Checks: Call to verify the delivery of any checks you mail. Monitor Your Account: Look for unauthorized transactions or changes to the payee on cashed checks.
How to Report Fraud If you notice anything suspicious and suspect mail theft, report it immediately to the Postal Inspection Service or call 877-876-2455. | | Medical Debt Relief |  | Unpaid medical debt devastates families, including many in Nelson. Those outstanding bills can lead to delayed healthcare, worsened health conditions, and financial ruin. The fear of medical debt can also prevent those in need from accessing necessary care.
Now, Michigan legislators plan to offer forgiveness of $450 million of medical debt owed by approximately 180,000 state residents.
Even better, Michigan's collaboration with the national nonprofit RIP Medical Debt makes this assistance possible at a total cost of only $4.5 million to state taxpayers. And that medical debt relief money is included in this year's state budget, the first passed by a Democratic-controlled legislature in 40 years.
According to Michigan Advance, Senate Appropriations Chair Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing) says, "...one of the things that we had heard about at coffee hours, in the grocery store, and in our own families was that medical debt was hamstringing the pocketbooks of men and women in every corner of our state."
Contact our elected officials today with your thoughts about this program.
Nelson residents can contact our state senator, John Bumstead, at SenJBumstead@senate.michigan.gov or (517) 373-1635. Email our State Representative Will Snyder at WillSnyder@house.mi.gov or call him at (517) 373-0842. | | Nelson Needs Your Help |  | The community needs your help with two upcoming projects; both involve getting outside on a lovely spring day!
Door Hangers
Later this week, we will distribute door hangers to every home and apartment complex in Nelson. These hangers will help clean up and beautify our community by promoting the April Dumpster Day. They will also remind everyone of other neighborhood news and upcoming events.
The job is quick, easy, and a lot of fun.
If you can help, even at only a few houses, please visit NelsonVolunteer.org, click the button below, email us or send a text to 231-769-2345.
Community Gardens
Please join us from 10 am until noon on Saturdays at the Saturday Breakfast Garden, 1218 Jefferson St., which is on the other side of Jefferson Street from the First Congregational Church. We need assistance preparing garden beds for spring planting as well as transplanting perennials and native plants.
For more information, please email CEC@NelsonNeighborhood.org. | | | HPL Seed Library |  | By the end of March, you will be able to obtain packets of free flower and vegetable seeds from the Hackley Public Library.
Adult Services Librarian Amelia Chea is starting the city’s first seed library. It will join dozens of other public library seed libraries around the state. She calls the seed library her “big project” for the spring and summer.
Seed donations are coming in from a variety of sources. These include the Hudson Valley Seed Company in New York, High Mowing Organic Seeds from Vermont, and Tortoise and Hare Organic Farm in Muskegon.
Another major contributor is Lynn Bryant, owner of the Lovage Garden, who will be speaking at a special event at the library on Earth Day, April 22. Her topic will be Gardening 101 for new gardeners and more information on seed libraries. The goal is to plant seeds and then learn how to save seeds for a sustainable future.
While Chea is not a gardener herself, her grandfather was a farmer and a mother a gardener. The next step on this process is a to find a old-fashion card catalog cabinet to display the seeds, she said. A new beginning for an old technology.
For a map of the location of Michigan’s seed libraries check out https://miseedlibrary.org
Article and photo by Donna Iverson | | Keeping Kids Safe & Warm |  | We're delighted to share the success of the Muskegon YMCA's Winter Coat Drive, thanks to the incredible support from our Nelson Neighborhood community.
With over 500 pounds of winter gear donated and generous monetary contributions, the Y purchased and distributed coats, clothes, accessories, and boots of all sizes to our local schools and shelters.
Your generosity made a meaningful impact on the lives of our neighbors during the cold winter months.
Thank you for making the Winter Coat Drive a success and your continued efforts to build a brighter future for everyone.
Update and Photo by Airn Sessink, Community Engagement Coordinator, Muskegon YMCA | | Yard Waste Pickup |  | Spring has sprung!
Yard waste pick-up resumes the first week of April and will go through the end of November, weather permitting.
Neighbors can use paper bags (keeping the weight under 30-lbs) or rigid 35-gallon (or less) trashcans to take advantage of curb-side disposal of grass, leaves, twigs, and brush.
Please remember that any brush should be less than 4 feet in length, and 4 inches in diameter.
For more details, check the Department of Public Works Sanitation guidelines. | | Free Tunes, Talk, & Treats |  | Join us for a Curated Cabaret on Sunday, April 21 at Aldea Coffee on Pine Street in Muskegon.
This free event features 4 performances by local musicians and writers. Each performer will have the stage for a twenty minute set in a listening room environment (respectfully listening).
This upcoming Curated Cabaret features two writers and two musical ensembles. One of the music groups features Nick Kroes of Nelson Neighborhood!
Doors open at Aldea Coffee at 6:30pm and performances begin at 7pm. Beverages and snacks are provided (gratis) by Aldea Coffee and Laughing Tree Brick Oven Bakery.
Donations are appreciated to help cover the cost of the event.
Curated Cabaret is organized by three local artists with a vision to bring together local performing artists and community members for lively engagement with music and spoken word.
We hope you’ll join us for a wonderful evening of Curated Cabaret on Sunday, April 21st ! | | Diet Debate |  | After a series of experiments and a lengthy report, the Muskegon City Commission is considering how to proceed with the Shoreline Drive road diet proposal.
As reported by MLive, a 360-page study documented that narrowing the road would slow traffic. Proponents believe this would increase pedestrian safety and facilitate waterfront access for Nelson residents.
However, the slowdown also increased traffic on nearby Muskegon and Webster Avenues, especially on weekends and during special events.
The road diet proposal generated exceptionally negative public feedback, which led the commission to consider having Muskegon DPW explore federal grant applications to help fund alternative pedestrian safety precautions.
Mayor Ken Johnson said that community reaction weighs heavily on any decision to move forward.
“If we can’t explain that narrative to get people to understand why, then that’s when you yield,” he said. “At the end of the day we are a representative democracy ... if our residents overwhelmingly oppose it — no matter how great it is — then in my opinion, we yield.” | | Infill Project Progress |  | Revitalizing Neighborhoods Muskegon has pioneered a successful solution to address the lack of affordable housing and revitalize areas like Nelson.
The Infill Housing Project, launched in 2019, has seen remarkable results. The city has completed or started construction on 143 housing units, contracted another 61 units and sold about 20 lots to private builders. These efforts account for 60% of new housing starts in Muskegon between 2018 and 2023.
As initially reported by Crain's Grand Rapids Business, this project addresses the aftermath of the Great Recession, when a lack of builders stalled housing construction. Muskegon's solution allows them to build houses on unused city-owned lots and sell them below cost, making up for potential losses through future property tax gains.
How the Program Works "As a country, we don't have a capacity to build our way out of the unit shortage... The city has taken a very direct approach to infill housing utilizing local brownfield TIF capture," explains Jake Eckholm, Muskegon's Director of Development Services.
This "brownfield" financing tool temporarily uses city taxes to cover lot preparation and building costs. Once homes sell, the increase in property taxes repays those initial costs, creating affordable housing opportunities and putting vacant land back on the tax rolls.
Builder Partnerships & Success Stories The project includes builders of all sizes. Companies like West Urban Properties construct many homes, while smaller developers gain valuable experience. Rudy Briggs of LRS Enterprises, a Jackson Hill resident, built within the program and now builds his own market-rate houses in the neighborhood.
Program Expansion With around 178 buildable lots left, Muskegon plans to add more to the program. "It's showing us that the program is working... It's gratifying to see," says Eckholm. This innovative approach tackles housing needs and transforms previously unused land. | |  | Excitement is building as we are just under 100 days away from the Trinity Health Seaway Run!
Get involved now with this year's event: | | |  | | IndiGrow is hiring!
We're looking for locals with experience in customer service. Apply for full or part-time positions.
4/20 Celebration
IndiGrow has a lot of fun events planned for this year's 4/20 celebration. This year, we are partnering with Pigeon Hill to put on their Adult Prom Party from 7-11 pm on 4/20. You can purchase tickets here, at IndiGrow, or Pigeon Hill.
Here's our full lineup of 4/20 events:
10 am-4 pm Free Chair Massages from Back to Health Chiropractic 11 am-4 pm Free Upcycled Craft in the Bowl (painted jars) 12 pm-1 pm Free Grilled Food 12 pm-4 pm Cookie Vendor in Bowl- Mckenzie Deems 1 pm-4 pm Live Acoustic Music by Vincent Hayes 2 pm-5 pm Live Illustrator- Furburn Franks 4:20 pm Drum Circle with Scott Russo- IndiGrow Grower 5 pm-7 pm Pigeon Hill's Adult Prom Pre Party- Dab Bar and Photographer in Bowl | | | Violence De-escalation Training |  | The Meta Peace Team will offer Violence De-escalation Skills Training on April 13, 2024, 9:30 am-2:00 pm at the First Congregational UCC, 1201 Jefferson St. Muskegon, MI 49441.
Topics will include: The Power and Efficacy of Non-Violence Systematic Causes of Violence The Spirituality of Non-Violence Creating Resiliency in a World of Conflict.
This training session is for adult leaders, parents, clergy, teachers, community leaders, and law enforcement officials—all those who make a difference for peaceful resolutions in this community and the world. Muskegon County Cooperating Churches is supplementing the cost of the training. Donations are appreciated.
The training costs $45 per person (including lunch). MCCC is asking for a donation of $10 to hold your spot.
To register, contact Kasey at the Muskegon Count Cooperating Churches office at 231-727-6000. The registration deadline is midnight on April 1. All are welcome.
This program is a presentation of the Muskegon County Cooperating Churches Peace and Justice Committee. | | |  | Last month, our Michigan Senate passed bills to reform payday lending.
Besides other regulations, the bills cap annual interest rates on short-term, high-interest loans at 36%, a massive reduction from the 391% allowed in Michigan today.
Supporters of the reform say it protects low-income borrowers and those who struggle to afford necessities from predatory practices that keep them in debt.
What are Payday Loans? Payday loans provide people quick access to cash before their next paycheck. However, short repayment periods and excessively high fees lead many borrowers to take on additional loans to repay existing ones, trapping them in a cycle of debt.
Next Steps The proposed bills now await consideration by the Michigan House of Representatives. If the lower chamber passes the reform, they will head to Governor Whitmer for her signature.
Get Involved Now Make your voice heard about this proposal. Contact our elected officials to express your thoughts.
Nelson residents can contact State Representative Will Snyder at WillSnyder@house.mi.gov or (517) 373-0842. Our state senator, John Bumstead, can be reached at SenJBumstead@senate.michigan.gov or (517) 373-1635. | | FCC April Food Events |  | First Congregational Church invites all Nelson neighbors to attend their food events this weekend and throughout the year.
On Saturday, April 6, the church at 1201 Jefferson will host the Mobile Food Pantry. There will also be a hot breakfast buffet on April 27.
April 6, 10:00 AM
Feeding America Mobile Food Pantry
April 27, 9:00-10:30 AM
Free Saturday Hot Buffet Breakfast
For information about these and other upcoming events, please email FCC’s Volunteer Coordinator, Donna Lachniet. | | $10 Health Insurance? |  | We all need health insurance. It protects us and our families from unexpected, crushing medical costs while providing access to vital preventive care. But, until recently, the cost of coverage was beyond the means of many Nelson neighbors.
Now, according to Michigan Advance, over 400,000 Michigan residents, including many in our community, get health insurance for as little as $10 each month from HealthCare.gov.
What is the HealthCare.gov?
HealthCare.gov is a website operated by our government that helps people shop for reasonably-priced health insurance. It's the official marketplace for the Affordable Care Act (ACA), or "Obamacare".
Recently, President Biden's Inflation Reduction Act significantly lowered pricing at HealthCare.gov. These savings, which became law without a single Republican vote, put health insurance within reach of residents throughout our community.
Affordable & Accessible
With the recent changes in Medicaid eligibility, even more Nelson neighbors can qualify for affordable coverage. For more information on your healthcare options, visit HealthCare.gov. | | | Hackley Public Library |  | Nelson Neighborhood is the home to Muskegon's best-known institutions, none of which are as deservedly famous as Hackley Public Library. Since its opening in 1890, HPL has been and remains the educational and cultural center of our city. | | FREE programs for adults! |  | | | FREE programs for kids & teens! |  | | |  | | |  | Founded in 1939, the West Michigan Symphony originally had 50 volunteer members and held its performances in area schools. In the late 1970s, the orchestra moved its concerts to the Frauenthal Center in the heart of the Nelson Neighborhood. It has been the Symphony's home venue ever since.
Now an ensemble of 60-plus professional musicians who travel from throughout Michigan and nine other states to perform, the orchestra presents an eight-concert season that includes classical masterworks and pops.
The West Michigan Symphony's compelling concerts, exceptional guest artists, and far-reaching youth education programs contribute significantly to the fabric of the Nelson Neighborhood. | | |  | | |  | Our neighborhood depends on volunteers.
We have no paid staff, so we rely on the generosity of our neighbors to keep our neighborhood running smoothly.
Whether you're interested in joining our board, volunteering at our community garden, or helping out with our newsletter, there's a place for you in our community.
Your time and talents are essential to making Nelson a great place to live. So please, get involved today!
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Next month, we will distribute door hangers to every home and apartment complex in Nelson. These hangers will help clean up and beautify our community by promoting the April Dumpster Day. They will also remind everyone of other neighborhood news and upcoming events.
The job is quick, easy, and a lot of fun.
If you can help, even at only a few houses, please visit NelsonVolunteer.org, click the button below, email us or send a text to 231-769-2345. | | | About Nelson Neighborhood |  | Nelson is a dynamic and diverse neighborhood in Muskegon, offering a range of benefits to its residents.
Our prime location on the shores of Muskegon Lake puts downtown Muskegon's restaurants, shops, and cultural attractions within walking distance of our homes.
We take pride in preserving Nelson's rich history while also investing in its future. Our community is committed to improving our neighborhood through beautification projects, community events, and other initiatives that enhance our quality of life.
To Renew or Start a Membership Renewing or starting a membership is easy and can be done quickly for as little as $5 at JoinNelson.org.
To Donate If you prefer to make a tax-free donation to support your community, please do so at SupportNelson.org.
| | | | To read a web-based version of this newsletter or past issues, please visit NelsonNews.Org | | | |
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