When Mary P. Sharp was elected to East Lansing City Council in 1965, housing discrimination against racial minorities and homosexuals in the city was widely accepted. She did not accept these norms and actively fought against what she saw as unjust treatment. She introduced a ban against discrimination that was revolutionary not only for East Lansing but the country as well.

Thursday, May 17 — In 1982, Morris Day famously asked, “What Time Is It?” In 2012, he has his answer: Common Ground time.

Friday, May 18 — A violinist from Battle Creek took the top honor in the Lansing Symphony Orchestra’s annual Youth Competition, in which young musicians compete for the chance to solo with the LSO.

Friday, June 1 — Glass artist and gallery owner Craig Mitchell Smith is in Washington today as part of the Michigan Business Leaders Briefing, an economic briefing hosted by the White House Business Council and Business Forward. The event is described as a one-day forum on jobs and the economy, addressing the employment picture in Michigan and investigating how government and the private sector can assist in the economic recovery.

Monday, June 4 — More than 1,500 gallons of chili was dished out and gobbled up at the Lansing Board of Water & Light’s 17th annual BWL Chili Cook-off at Adado Riverfront Park on Saturday. Thirty-one area restaurants, non-profits, businesses and organizations participated in this year's chili contest. Proceeds from the event benefit Impression 5 Science Center/Adopt A River, HOPE Scholarship Connections Program and the Sparrow Foundation.

Tuesday, June 12 — The 2011 Pulsars, recognizing the best in Lansing theater, were presented Monday evening at a ceremony held at Riverwalk Theatre. The hosts included Bruce Wade, Evan Pinsonnault, Chad DeKatch, Tigi Habtemariam, Dana Brazil and Amanda Whitehead. The panel of Pulsar judges is made up of Mary C. Cusack, Erin Buitendorp, Kathy Helma, Tom Helma, Ute von der Heyden and Paul Wozniak. More than 50 productions that opened between May 2011 and April of this year were evaluated and rated for this year’s field.

Thursday, June 14 — No, Anne Hathaway probably won’t be around to show off her new Catwoman costume. But the Bat-Pod and The Tumbler from Warner Bros.’ “The Dark Knight Rises” will be rolling into town Friday morning.

Friday, June 15 — Historical Society of Greater Lansing president Valerie Marvin leads a tour of many of the downtown area's most architecturally significant buildings from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday. The tour is free and takes place rain or shine.

Thursday, July 5 — Sample the food from many downtown restaurants — as well as some locally produced wine and beer — at Taste of Downtown, which happens Saturday in (where else?) downtown Lansing.

Friday, July 6 — Usually when a show is canceled because it's "too hot," local censors are to blame. But it's Mother Nature who's responsible for the City of East Lansing's decision to call of tonight's Greg Nagy concert.