December 20-26, 2017 Ghoultide Greetings from TV Svengoolie See Page 10

SQUIRREL NUT ZIPPERS AND DAVINA & THE VAGABONDS

JANUARY 18, 7:30PM

Cobb Great Hall whartoncenter.com • 1-800-WHARTON The Jazz Series is sponsored by MSU Federal Credit Union. Media sponsor WKAR. 2 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • December 20, 2017 City Pulse • December 20, 2017 www.lansingcitypulse.com 3 What is Christmas? Christmas = Love Join us on Christmas Eve to welcome in the love and the magic of Christmas Day. Sunday, December 24, 2017 9:30 AM—A service of Christmas Carols 4:00 PM—Lessons in Carols and Candles A Celebration for all ages

Pilgrim Congregational 125 S. Pennsylvania Ave. Sunday - 9:30 AM United Church of Christ (517) 484-7434 Lansing, MI PilgrimUCC.com 4 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • December 20, 2017

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING EAST LANSING PLANNING COMMISSION VOL. 17

Notice is hereby given of the following public hearing to be held by the East Lansing Planning ISSUE 19 Commission on Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at 7:00 p.m., in the 54-B District Court, Courtroom 2, 101 Linden Street, East Lansing. (517) 371-5600 • Fax: (517) 999-6061 • 1905 E. Michigan Ave. • Lansing, MI 48912 • www.lansingcitypulse.com A public hearing will be held to consider an application from Speedway, LLC dba Speedway 221 for Special Use Permit approval for the property at 111 West Lake Lansing ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: (517) 999-5061 Road. The applicant is requesting approval to allow the sale of packaged beer and wine. or email [email protected] PAGE CLASSIFIEDS: (517) 999-5066 Call (517) 319-6930, the Department of Planning, Building and Development, East Lansing City Hall, 410 Abbot Road, East Lansing, for additional information. All interested persons will be given EDITOR AND PUBLISHER • Berl Schwartz an opportunity to be heard. These matters will be on the agenda for the next Planning Commission 9 meeting after the public hearing is held, at which time the Commission may vote on them. The [email protected] • (517) 999-5061 ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER • Mickey Hirten Planning Commission's recommendations are then placed on the agenda of the next City Council Meridian farmers market moves indoors for winter meeting. The City Council will make the final decision on these applications. [email protected] ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR • Rich Tupica • arts@lansing- The City of East Lansing will provide reasonable auxiliary aids and services, such as interpreters citypulse.com • (517) 999-5068 for the hearing impaired and audio tapes of printed materials being considered at the meeting, to EVENTS EDITOR • Ella Kramer individuals with disabilities upon request received by the City seven (7) calendar days prior to the PAGE [email protected] • (517) 999-6704 meeting. Individuals with disabilities requiring aids or services should write or call the Planning PRODUCTION MANAGER • Abby Kelly Department, 410 Abbot Road, East Lansing, MI 48823. Phone: (517) 319-6930. TDD Number: 12 STAFF WRITERS • Lawrence Cosentino 1-800-649-3777. [email protected] Marie E. Wicks Museum installation celebrates Michigan artists of all kinds Todd Heywood City Clerk [email protected] CP#17-325 Skyler Ashley [email protected] • (517) 999-5068 PAGE ASSISTANT SALES & MARKETING DIRECTOR Mandy Jackson • [email protected] 21 Contributors: Andy Balaskovitz, Justin Bilicki, Daniel E. Bollman, Capital News Service, Bill Castanier, NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Mary C. Cusack, Tom Helma, Gabrielle Lawrence EAST LANSING HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION New eateries and craft brews around Lansing Johnson, Eve Kucharski, Terry Link, Andy McGlashen, Notice is hereby given of the following public hearing to be held by the East Lansing Historic District Kyle Melinn, Mark Nixon, Shawn Parker, Stefanie Pohl, Commission on Thursday, January 11, 2018 at 7:00 p.m., in the 54-B District Court, Courtroom 2, Dennis Preston, Allan I. Ross, Dylan Tarr, Rich Tupica, 101 Linden Street, East Lansing. Cover Ute Von Der Heyden, David Winkelstern, Paul Wozniak Interns: Kelly Sheridan, Shruti Saripalli, A public hearing will be held for the purpose of considering a request from Mark and Sherry Min-Wang Kathy Oppenhuizen, for the property at 405 University Drive, to replace all windows Art in the home with units to fit within the existing window openings. Distribution manager: Paul Shore • (517) 999-5061

Call (517) 319-6930, the Department of Planning, Building and Development, East Lansing City Hall, Photo credit: Jim Roche/Svengoolie Delivery drivers: Frank Estrada, Dave Fisher, Jack 410 Abbot Road, East Lansing, for additional information. All interested persons will be given an Sova, Richard Simpson, Thomas Scott Jr. opportunity to be heard.

The City of East Lansing will provide reasonable auxiliary aids and services, such as interpreters for the hearing impaired and audio tapes of printed materials being considered at the meeting, to individuals with disabilities upon request received by the City seven (7) calendar days prior to the meeting. Individuals with disabilities requiring aids or services should write or call the Planning Department, 410 Abbot Road, East Lansing, MI 48823. Phone: (517) 319-6930. TDD Number: 1-800- 649-3777.

Marie E. Wicks City Clerk

CP#17-326 City Pulse • December 20, 2017 www.lansingcitypulse.com 5 PULSE NEWS & OPINION Mixed-use complex to replace old downtown YMCA building $25 million, 4-story plan offers 145 apartments, 7,000 sq. feet of commercial and retail space

After years of stop and go attempts to develop the old downtown YMCA loca- tion, property owner Julie Lawton-Essa said Monday that she has financing for a four-story, $25 million apartment, com- mercial and retail development. The old Y, opened in 1951 and closed since 2003, will be torn down. Capital Area District Libraries The new project, dubbed Metro Place, A four-story, $25 million complex of apart- would be 122,130 square feet. Ground- ments and commercial and retail space breaking is projected in spring 2018. would replace the old YMCA, closed since It will have 145 apartments (30 studios, 69 Courtesy image 2003, in downtown Lansing on Kalamazoo one-bedroom and bath units, 29 two-bed- Street. room and bath units and 17 two-bedroom and two-bath units). Approximately 6,925 property for parking for the nearby Veterans The apartments will be marketed to young project was moving forward. “It is within a square feet of commercial and retail space Memorial Courthouse. That option was dis- professionals and their families, she said. month of a huge redevelopment announce- will be on the ground level, along with some cussed by city and Ingham County officials With the new city hall proposed just down ment,” he said. “It’s in the very final stage.” apartments. The project also includes 154 as they consider whether to move 54-A Dis- the street at the now vacant Lansing State He said Lawton-Essa will be using a surface parking places for apartment resi- trict Court to the courthouse if the plan to Journal building, and Reutter Park less than Brownfield plan approved by City Council dents. convert City Hall to a hotel goes ahead. a block away, she said she also expects the 10 years ago but never finalized in the de- Lawton-Essa said the current, six-story Under the proposal, Lawton-Essa will vol- new living spaces will trigger a neighbor- velopment. The state has to approve that building configuration would not support untarily pay prevailing wage, which adds an hood revitalization, including food trucks. incentive, which would see the developer get repurposing for apartments. additional $2 million to the project. “That’s Bob Trezise, CEO of Lansing Economic some of its cost back. The project would preclude using the important to us and to the city,” she said. Area Partnership (LEAP), confirmed the — TODD HEYWOOD BWL plans $500 million power plant; scope and timing questioned The BWL’s big announcement Monday “At a time when we have climate change deniers in with stakeholders were also taken into that it plans to build a $500 million natural account. gas plant drew a mixed response. power in Washington, we have our local utility embrac- According to the final report, the citizens’ Depending on whom you ask, it’s either committee recommended one out of seven the utility’s biggest step yet toward a clean ing an environmentally sustainable future for metro options presented by BWL and refined in energy future or a premature, oversized discussions with the group. beast the Lansing Board of Water and Light Lansing.” Jeffrey Pillon, a member of the citizens’ should have proposed to the community — Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero committee, said Monday’s announcement and not imposed upon it. was the “culmination” of that process. BWL plans to start building the plant, plants. Michigan Environmental Council, felt a Pillon is director of energy assurance for the biggest project in its history, on the “At a time when we have climate change sense of déjà vu. “It wouldn’t be the first the National Association of State Energy site its Erickson Power Station in Delta deniers in power in Washington, we have time we’ve seen the utility rush into a deci- Officials. Township in January 2019 and hopes to flip our local utility embracing an environmen- sion that wasn’t well thought out,” he said. “We were encouraging the board to take a the switch in early 2021. tally sustainable future for metro Lansing,” The rollout of a new plant has been wide- look at how they might expand the renew- BWL General Manager Dick Peffley said Bernero said. ly expected for years, but the specifics of the ables and energy efficiency, and they did that with the new plant on line, the utili- BWL also announced Monday that the project were under wraps until now. ty will be completely coal-free by the time utility is moving its Hazel/Penn service “This is a municipal electric,” Clift said. See BWL, page 6 the aging Erickson Station closes in 2025. facility to a new building on a portion of “We’re supposed to make decisions as a The utility’s other baseload generator, the the long-vacant GM Verlinden plant on community. We’d like to know why it wasn’t Eckert Station, is set to close in 2020. Lansing’s west side. more of a community decision versus a top- Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero proudly The move promises to kick-start eco- down decision.” pointed to the contrast between progres- nomic development in both the old and Peffley said the BWL worked with a sive locals and regressive feds at Monday’s new locations, and was a shiny distraction nine-member citizens’ advisory committee announcement. BWL’s plans to get off of Monday, but the $500 million main event for six months in 2015 and 2016 to work OF THE WEEK WILL RETURN NEXT WEEK coal run counter to the Trump adminis- left some observers with a gassy cramp. out its Integrated Resource Plan, or IRP. tration’s oft-stated support of coal-burning James Clift, policy director at the Customer surveys and informal meetings

6 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • December 20, 2017

when is this plant needed? Why are we BWL rushing to build it earlier?” Clift asked. “This plant might be more than the com- from page 5 munity needs, long term.” Lansing has been here before. that,” Pillon said. In 2008, the BWL rolled out a plan for a Peffley said nearly 85 megawatts of wind new $1 billion plant powered primarily by will be added to the BWL’s already exist- coal. Clift led the charge to switch to “Plan ing 20 megawatts of wind next year and B,” as he called it in a series of community the utility will generate 120 megawatts of presentations. solar power by 2030, “making the BWL Blowback from community members Michigan’s leader in solar energy.” and environmentalists induced the utility to While pushing for clean energy, the citi- change direction and build a smaller-scale, zen’s committee also recognized the need to 100-megawatt gas-fired cogeneration plant make up for the capacity lost when Eckert in REO Town. Courtesy Lansing Board of Water & Light and Erickson retire, and found that gas was The era of “distributed” power generation (Top) Lansing’s BWL plans to build a $500 million, 250-megawatt gas-fired power plant the cleanest option, according to Pillon. from multiple, smaller sources, rather than near its current Erickson Station, to be completed by early 2021. In 2016, natural gas-fired generators sur- large baseload power plants like the one passed coal to become the nation’s leading BWL is proposing, has already dawned. (Lower) BWL also announced Monday it will move its Penn/Hazel service complex on power source, with 42 percent of the oper- Renewable energy is competitive in price the Red Cedar River to 50 acres on the RACER Trust site, formerly General Motors’’ ating electricity generating capacity in the with fossil fuels, battery technology is swift- Verlinden plant, off of Saginaw and Stanley streets on Lansing’s west side. . ly improving and medium-sized businesses The BWL plan falls squarely in line with are already getting off the grid. statewide energy trends. In October 2017, “We’re seeing many utilities that are look- “Not too many years down the road, stor- coal to gas. Carbon emissions will be cut by the state’s Public Service Commission ing to diversify their mix,” Clift said. “Even age capacity will come into play,” Peffley 50 percent. endorsed two gas-fired plants in the Upper the concept of ‘baseload’ is starting to fall said. “But there’s nothing on an industrial A 2011 report prepared for the Michigan Peninsula costing a combined $277 mil- out of the vocabulary.” scale.” Environmental Council traced 180 prema- lion. The plants would produce a combined At Monday’s announcement, Peffley said The citizens’ committee advised BWL to ture deaths a year in Michigan (and 660 in 183 megawatts and go into service in 2019, the utility’s Delta Township solar array, the monitor emerging technologies and re-eval- the Midwest region) to nine old coal-fired replacing Marquette’s Presque Isle Power largest tracking solar array in Michigan, uate its energy portfolio every four years, plants in the state. The Eckert plant was not Plant, which is scheduled to close in 2020. will go on line in 2018. The utility is under but it would be hard to reverse Monday’s included in the study, but it is “comparable” Energy giant DTE is planning a 1,100- contract to get 100 MW of wind power big decision once the first shovel is turned. to those that were, according to 5 Lakes MW natural gas power plant in St. Clair from the Thumb area, also set to go on line However, Peffley said it’s “99 percent Energy consultant Douglas Jester. The County on about 100 acres east of its huge, in 2018. likely” that the proposed plant will be the study also traced 68,000 asthma attacks coal-fired Belle River Power Plant in East With a surge of investment in renew- last baseload plant BWL will ever build. and $1.5 billion in health-related damages China Township. The new plant would ables, a hulking new plant may not be nec- All parties agree on the environmental to the same 9 coal plants in Michigan. provide power for about 850,000 homes essary in five to 10 years, Clift said. and health benefits of switching from coal But a large gas plant has its drawbacks beginning in 2022. “We see lots of opportunities for a clean- to gas. as well. But the energy landscape is changing er mix of less risky investments,” Clift said. About 50 percent of the toxic mercury Andrew Sarpolis, director of Sierra Club’s fast. As coal-fired plants age out of useful “We’re not seeing a plan that is the lowest poisoning in the Great Lakes region comes Beyond Coal campaign, praised BWL for life, communities across the country are risk.” from coal-fired power plants, according to deciding to close Eckert and Erickson, but adopting a nimble strategy, combining Peffley agreed that the era of decentral- the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. he called Monday’s announcement “a long renewable energy with “smaller, modular ized energy production is nigh, but not Sulfur dioxide and nitrous oxide emissions, term investment in fossil fuels” that “may gas-fired units as you need them,” Clift said. soon enough to avoid building a new power or “sox and nox,” are expected to go down “If Erickson is running through 2025, plant. 90 percent or more with the switch from See BWL, page 7 City Pulse • December 20, 2017 www.lansingcitypulse.com 7 Green grab Most pot license applicants not from Lansing

The marijuana cash run is on, and an Lansing business addresses. analysis of publicly available data on appli- Each license application was accompa- cants shows that only 37 percent of the nied by a $5,000 licensing fee. If an appli- business applicants have a Lansing mail- cant is not granted a license, half of that is ing address. Most of the applications are returned. The application fees alone will obscured by limited liability corporations, result in a net gain of $545,000 for the city. making it difficult to identify who the Swope will have to whittle the 86 provi- investors are behind the applications, or sioning center applications to 20 licensed even if they are from instate. facilities during this first application phase. Local dispensary owners expressed con- Five more can be approved next fall. cern that deep-pocketed interests without There is no limit to the number of licens- Lansing ties will push them out. The scor- es that can be administered for any facil- ing system the city will use does not give ity types other than provisioning centers, any preference to local ownership. and as of Monday, the city will continue On Monday, Lansing City Clerk Chris to accept applications for growers, proces- Swope released a spreadsheet to City Pulse sors, transporters, and safety compliance which included the type of license sought, facilities. No applications were received the address for the marijuana operation for secure transporter or safety compliance Todd Heywood/City Pulse and the address for the applicant. A pre- facilities. Applications fill a bookcase at the Lansing City Clerk’s Office from would-be operators liminary analysis of the data showed: The rush came after nearly a month of of medical marijuana dispensaries and related enterprises. • Fifteen applications were for medi- inaction on the part of area marijuana cal marijuana grow operations. Twelve of entities. Friday marked the end of the city’s ries would have been required to close in deep-pocketed, out-of-state corporations those applicants were from entities out of initial application period, which started two days. Now, only businesses who did not will be able to secure licenses based on the city. on Nov. 16, yet as of last Wednesday after- apply will face these deadlines. their financial potential alone, pushing out • Three applications were for medical noon, Swope’s office had still received zero Mike Barron, marketing director of Got established Lansing businesses. marijuana processing operations. All three applications. Meds dispensary, 3405 S. Cedar St, said he To comply with city requirements, it applicants have a business address outside Had no one applied by Friday’s deadline, was worried about the impact the lack of will cost at least $11,000 in city and state the city of Lansing. all medical marijuana businesses within Lansing-based applicants would have on application fees. Applicants must also have • Eighty-six businesses applied for pro- city limits would have been forced to shut the city’s medical marijuana industry. visioning center licenses. Of those, 35 had down by the end of the year. All dispensa- Barron said he is concerned that See Licenses, page 8

The only fuel supply to run a plant other begin operation by the first quarter of 2021. Town cogeneration plant has helped to BWL than coal is gas.” “I’ll bet they beat that,” Peffley said. “The change the face of Lansing’s REO Town There is plenty of room for a gas plant sooner they do, the sooner we can get out of district. on the Erickson site, Peffley said. The site, the coal business.” Vacating the old complex, along with a from page 6 purchased in the 1970s was meant to house Doubts raised by Clift, Sarpolis and oth- sprawling lot heaped with utility poles and not be a good path to Lansing’s energy two large coal plants. ers concerned about the size and timing of other equipment, frees up a stretch of prime future.” Peffley said the utility will issue bonds the project may lead to another round of riverfront that is already seeing a major The Sierra Club is calling the BWL’s new in summer 2018 to pay for the plant. The blowback and adjustment by the BWL. warehouse-to-commercial conversion on plant a “fracked gas plant,” referring to the plant is similar to the REO Town cogenera- “There are progressive voices in the com- the opposite bank of the Red Cedar River. controversial method of hydraulic fractur- tion plant in design, only it is divided into munity pushing us to do better, and a local- Together, the moribund Eckert station ing, or cracking open layers of deep rock a 170 MW combined cycle plant and two ly owned utility is responsive to its custom- and the Penn/Hazel complex take up about by injecting chemicals mixed with water to 40 MW “peakers,” or self-contained units ers,” Bernero said at Monday’s announce- a mile of riverfront property. extract oil or natural gas. As of 2010, about that can be turned on quickly to back up ment. “That’s a lot of valuable real estate to have 60 percent of new oil and gas wells in the renewables. Along with Monday’s rollout came a sec- industrial sitting on,” Peffley said. U.S. was obtained via fracking. The “peakers” will be portable. In the ond, less controversial announcement that “Now that rumors are leaking out, we’ve Fracking has turned gas into a cheap and event of a catastrophic failure at the BWL’s the BWL will move its Penn-Hazel ser- had developers reach out to us already plentiful fuel, but studies on its health and REO Town gas plant, a “peaker” can be vice complex at the corner of Pennsylvania for the property,” Peffley said. “We believe even seismic consequences have pointed to yanked from the new plant and installed Avenue and Hazel Street to a 50-acre por- Eckert and Penn/Hazel will develop into a a range of harmful effects on groundwater within 24 hours to back up steam gener- tion of the long-vacant Fisher Body site off showplace for the city, with commercial and and human health. ation. Up to now, the Eckert Plant has of West Saginaw and Stanley Street in west residential.” However, unless a utility owns its own served as backup for the REO plant, but Lansing. Peffley said the Eckert station will not gas field and pipeline, Peffley said, there’s Eckert will be off-line by the time the new The complex is home to line and water be torn down. He said one developer even no way to ensure gas hasn’t been obtained gas plant will be up and running. departments, central services, fleet services proposed micro-apartments to go into the via fracking. Earlier this month, the BWL board and a warehouse. Peffley said the utility is Eckert Station’s three iconic smokestacks, Jester, of Five Lakes Energy, said, “You approved a hike in residential electric rates moving the complex to free up the river- Wynken, Blynken and Nod, but he doubt- can’t sort the molecules.” of 3.9% for 2018, 2019 and 2020, an aver- front for better uses and get its equipment ed such a scheme was feasible. Developers “You’re stuck with what’s available in the age monthly increase of $3.16 the first year. out of the Red Cedar River floodplain. will have to wait for the decommissioning pipeline,” Jester said. “They are all intercon- Peffley said the new rate structure will be BWL Commissioner David Price said he process to play out, though. Peffley said the nected and you don’t get a direct delivery.” enough to pay for the plant without further hopes the new service complex will boost utility won’t issue a request for proposal “Right now, there is no other basket to surcharges. economic development in the west side until 2021, after the plant has been shut put your eggs in,” Peffley said. “We’re not The BWL plans to start construction in area, particularly near its shuttered auto down. big enough to have a nuclear plant. January 2019. The new plant is expected to plants, in the same way the BWL’s REO — LAWRENCE COSENTINO 8 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • December 20, 2017

ed to be president, cited what she called a Licenses loophole in the new ordinance regarding delinquent property taxes. She said nothing in the law prevents from page 7 applicants from renting property on which $300,000 in liquid assets to operate a pro- back taxes are due. That matters, she said, visioning center in the state. because the city will have heightened costs “I hope that the locals get a shake at it,” for inspections on properties for which it Barron said. “We’ve been here, we’ve been may not be receiving tax revenue. doing great for our community, and to not Swope confirmed that the ordinance be here for financial reasons I think would does not prevent applicants from renting be heartbreaking for the city.” places with overdue taxes. The scoring rubric that Swope’s office The city ordinance that authorized the will be using to assign licenses is scored licensing of marijuana businesses does not on 100 points. Job creation and financial allow applicants who owe money to the city stability account for 27 possible points; no to receive licenses. City Attourney James consideration is given to an applicant’s ties Smierkta said, however, that Swope could to Lansing. waive that provision. Swope said he has Barron not made a formal decision, but he said he also said he has allowed applicants for other licenses to was wor- get cuaght up. Applicants apparently may ried larger rent fromlandlords who are delinquent on businesses property taxes. might be There were outstanding 2016-’17 proper- able to get ty taxes for the addresses of buildings that away with 22 applicants want to rent. declaring Edgewood Wellness LLC, which is apply- lofty, over- ing for a provisioning center license, listed stated job its proposed operating address as 134 E. creation Edgewood Blvd. The owner of this prop- projections, erty, JNNF LLC of Walled Lake, Michigan, given their owes nearly $100,000 in back taxes financial accrued since 2016. The amount owed on Swope resources. the Edgewood property was by far the larg- “What if est balance of any delinquent property. I wrote I At least one delinquent property is was going to hire 1,000 people?” Barron owned by the same corporation applying said. “Does that give me more points? I’m for a license, disqualifying the entity from really never going to unless we get that big.” receiving one. 1517 Family Holdings LLC The 66 provisioning center applicants is applying for a provisioning center license that will be denied licenses have the option at 3520 N. East St. That corporation owes of re-submitting their applications during $2,362.51 in taxes on the property from the second licensing phase, during which 2016, according to Ingham County records. the final five licenses will be distributed. There are also two delinquent properties Meanwhile, incoming City that have owners with business addresses Councilwoman Carol Wood, who is expect- that match addresses given on a licensing application. However, the listed business names are different. It is unclear whether the applicants are the same entities operat- ing under different names. Lansing Provisioning Center Inc. sub- mitted a provisioning center application for the property at 6510 S. Cedar St., which is listed as the company’s business address, yet the address is also claimed by Fanta Anj LLC, according to county records. Fanta Anj owes a total of $24,825.49 in taxes on the property from 2016. M & H LLC also submitted a provision- 40 ing center application for two suites at 925 E. Kalamazoo St., which M & H also lists as its business address. City records shows the property as being owned by Gedeon Brother LLC, a corporation operating from the same address. Gedeon Brother owes $10,638.47 to the city and Ingham County dating back to 2016. — MAXWELL EVANS City Pulse • December 20, 2017 www.lansingcitypulse.com 9

East Lansing • Meridian Township • East Lansing • Meridian Township • East Lansing • Meridian Township • East Lansing • Meridian Township

Greens from Williamston: Kameel El Haddad of Williamston Florist and Greenhouse Sue Hickmott discusses the wines from her brother’s winery, CurrAnt Mist Winery near adds a pinecone to a greens display Saturday at the business’ Meridian Farmers Market Owosso, with Shirley Harding of Okemos. booth in the Meridian Mall.

high with fresh veggies. To her left was a when they looked at new Farmers Market vendor, CurrAnt Mist specialty breads like Biweekly meet up Winery from Owosso. chocolate raspberry Winter no problem for “This is our first day here. I will be coming bread or cinnamon Meridian farmers market back every day until my boss — my broth- raisin bread. er — says otherwise,” said Sue Hickmott, an He conspiratorially Christina Miller from Meridian Township’s employee of the winery, with a laugh. told each person that Farmers Market sat smiling Saturday morn- She said the indoor market was booming the specialty breads ing as she watched people bundled in win- for their offerings. She stood offering tasting can be made into ter wear trundle past her to the tables of 30 samples. the best French toast vendors hawking their wares in the Meridian On the opposite end of the market, Adam without using eggs. Mall. Ulbin, bakery manager for Stonehearth He smiled as he told Across the way from her sat Santa Claus Bakery of Brooklyn, Michigan, stood over them to use melted doing pictures with children. an array of baked goods He chatted up cus- ice cream rather than Behind her to the right was a table piled tomers as they viewed his bread, particularly eggs. “It saves you on the cholesterol,” he said to one shopper. “And it saves on the sugar. Because the ice cream carmelizes as you put it in the pan. There’s no need for syrup even.” It’s a recipe a for- mer employee of the bakery shared with him years ago. That former employee had been a garbage man but was laid off. So he took up baking. Ulbin said years ago. that employee was so good at the baking and He originally wanted to have the market cooking, the team at the Stone Hearth Bakery every weekend because of the heavy traffic in encouraged him to go to culinary school. the mall. But organizers overruled that and He did. And he returned with this French are currently operating the market every two toast secret telling Ulbin and the team the ice weeks. cream concoction had create award-winning The next market will be Jan. 6 in the JC

Todd Haywood/City Pulse French toast in the northeastern U.S. Penney wing of the Meridian Mall. Bread for Sale: Adam Ulbin, bakery manager for Stone Hearth Bakery, discusses spe- He said his business has been operating in “Being in the mall is great,” he said. “It gets cialty bread and French toast as Kaitlin Mata of Lansing (left) and Ashley Draves of the indoor market since it started up, seven us out of the cold weather.” Canton wait to purchase bread from him. — TODD HEYWOOD 10 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • December 20, 2017

A coffin-side chat with horror host Christmas is scaring Rich Koz, MeTV’s Svengoolie

By LAWRENCE COSENTINO Deep in a luridly lit dungeon in the heart of lurks one of the last of a long lineage of local, late-night lunatics. Only he’s not so local anymore. Rich Koz (pronounced “Koze”), 65, has donned the top hat and punch-in-the-eye face paint of Svengoolie for 40 years, on and off. Generations of Chicago fans stop him on the street to thank him for a weekly break from reality, but he never foresaw the level of exposure he is enjoying now. Beginning in 2011, the nostalgic rerun network MeTV exploited the digital broad- cast sub-channels mandated by the FCC to assemble the largest “diginet” in the United States — over 160 broadcast affiliates reach- ing 96 percent of US households. There is no escape from Svengoolie now. When MeTV unleashed Koz onto an un- suspecting nation in, viewers fluttered to- ward the glowing screen like moths. The “Svengoolie” set is piled with loving effigies of the host in every medium imagin- able, from toddlers’ crayon scrawls to Lego Svengoolies to dolls crocheted by grandmas. Far-flung fans send in pictures of themselves in Svengoolie shirts at the Grand Canyon and the Taj Mahal. Koz is swamped by requests for personal appearances, especially in the run-up to Hal- loween. In December, he pops up in comic shops and malls around Chicago, dressed as Lawrence Cosentino/City Pulse “Sventa Claus,” because — why not? Lack of makeup doesn’t stop Rich Koz from mugging in front of his new coffin, lovingly carved for nationwide, digital broadcast via the There is a limit to his shameless instinct for MeTV network, WSYM47.2 in Lansing. self-promotion, however. “People always ask me to do weddings, but still take it.” pear on camera. She was quickly followed a strong presence in the Detroit market on I do not do weddings,” he said. “Funerals — by a long list of oddballs like the zombie-like WKBD TV 50 and is still a Michigan legend. I haven’t done any of those, either, because From Vampira to The Ghoul Zacherley (New York’s ), Count But Sweed’s run-in with the original Sven- they’re worried their relative will get up out In 1954, the dark form of Finnish-Ameri- Gore de Vol (Richard Dyszel of Washington goolie was a real-life horror show. of the coffin.” can actress Maila Nurmi emerged from a fog- D.C.), the Amish-bearded Dr. Creep (Barry Sweed took ’s stream-of-con- National fame has brought Koz some gy studio hallway and delivered a blood-cur- Hobart of Dayton, OH), Stella (Karen Scioli) sciousness style to falling-down-stupid ex- high-profile admirers. He thought it was dling shriek. of Philadelphia’s “Saturday Night Dead” and tremes, knocking over walls and cameras and a prank when “Star Wars” icon Mark Ha- “Screaming relaxes me so,” she sighed. Elvira ( of Los Angeles, a shoving random objects into his nose, leav- mill got in touch with him a few years ago. Lounging on a couch in fishnet stockings, campier version of Vampira). ing viewers wondering whether a pestilence He emailed Hamill back, asking him to post garnishing her drink with an eyeball, the sexy By the time Sir Graves Ghastly, Cleve- hadn’t wiped out the studio, leaving one stag- something on his verified Twitter account so beatnik persona of Vampira freaked out par- land-born actor Lawson J. Deming, ran on gering stoner to run the show. he could be sure it was real. ents and other guardians of morality. WJBK, TV2 in Detroit from 1967 to 1982, Meanwhile, in Chicago, polished radio an- “I said, ‘I’m a bottom feeder celebrity and Something strange was stirring in the base- most of the hosts were sinking into campier nouncer Jerry G. Bishop was slumming as a people pretend to be me,” Koz said. “If this is ment of split-level, Eisenhower-era America. material. horror host on “Screaming Yellow Theater,” really you, I apologize.” Cellar dwellers like Vampira were calling a re- The saga of Svengoolie goes back to 1960s dressed as a zombie hippie who called him- It really was Hamill. “He put up a tweet cess from the antiseptic, white-toothed pris- Cleveland horror host Ghoulardi, played by self Svengoolie. about how one of the things he discovered on of network TV. Ernie Anderson. (Anderson is the father of Bishop got the inspiration for the name that summer that he was so thrilled about At the same time, a package of Universal film director Paul Thomas Anderson, whose from Ghoulardi. was the Svengoolie show,” Koz said. horror films, including “Frankenstein,” “Drac- production company is still called Ghoular- In 1973, network execs axed Bishop’s Halfway through our talk, Koz got a text ula” and “The Wolf Man,” was made available di.) Svengoolie character and replaced him with message from another fan, former WWF to local TV stations for the first time, under Ghoulardi was a wisecracking beatnik in Sweed’s Ghoul when Kaiser Broadcasting wrestler Jerry Lawler. the rubric “.” Local hosts, many a goatee and fright wig who disparaged the took over Chicago’s WFLD-TV. “I’m just overwhelmed that there are peo- of them little more than disembodied voices, movies he featured and blew a variety of ob- Koz, then a college-age Svengoolie fan, was ple all over the country who are enjoying what were hired to introduce the films, in the man- jects up on camera, including a rat. shocked when Bishop was “unceremoniously we’re doing,” he said. “It would have been nice ner of 1940s radio shows such as “Lights Out” Detroit-area fans have fond memories of fired” and he wasn’t alone. if this had happened when I was younger and and “The Inner Sanctum.” The Ghoul, Ghoulardi’s successor in Cleve- The Ghoul may have been a legend along had more energy and I was healthier, but I’ll Nurmi was the first of these hosts to ap- land, played by Ron Sweed, who established Lake Erie, but he sealed his fate with Chica- City Pulse • December 20, 2017 www.lansingcitypulse.com 11 go viewers in his first week as a non-resident After six and a half years, WFLD became haunt. “Svengoolie is a no-talent rip-off and part of ’s Fox network and we made him leave,” Sweed gloated on the air. Koz was given his walking papers. He was off the air in Chicago within a year. “The way it was presented to me was, ‘We The sordid episode could have been cur- don’t think your show is suitable to be part of tains for Svengoolie. Bishop, a TV journalist our network offerings,’” Koz said. “Of course, and announcer, wasn’t keen on revisiting the the Joan Rivers show was, and that didn’t last character. long.” “He thought he might someday run for In 1995, TV executive Neil Sabin, soon office in this area,” Koz said. “He didn’t want to become architect of the MeTV network, his opponent holding up a picture of him as pitched a plan to make WCIU-26 in Chica- Svengoolie saying, ‘this is a man you’re going go a throwback to the independent stations to vote for?’” he knew in his youth — stations that rolled But Bishop had a young protégé with no along on comfort food like “Star Trek” reruns such qualms. and horror movie hosts. Sabin was also a Svengoolie fan. He asked My Darling Frankenstein Koz, who was freelancing at various shows, to As a student at Northwestern, Koz sent open the coffin one more time. jokes to Bishop and was thrilled to see Sven- Though Svengoolie was 13 years dormant, goolie use them on the air. Bishop invited a week hadn’t gone by without a fan asking Koz on the set, where the young fan ended Koz to bring him back. up doing off-camera voices and writing full “I figured, if it meant that much to people, sketches. sure, I’ll do it,” he said. “It wasn’t in my mind that I’m trying to get Jim Roche/Svengoolie a job with this guy,” Koz said. “It was so cool Woooo After a hectic Halloween season, Svengoolie pops up as Sventa Claus in public that he liked what I did.” “Svengoolie” is a staggering amount of In 1979, Bishop tossed the keys to the cof- work, especially for a man who sleeps stand- appearances around Chicago every December. fin to Koz and authorized him to become The ing up in a coffin. He writes all the sketches Recently, some of the most off-putting atmosphere those movies create, with the Son of Svengoolie. and does most of the voices, playing many ads, most notoriously for medical devices lighting and the shadows — they’re shot so An early audition shows Koz in Bishop’s scenes with himself. When I visited the stu- like catheters, have disappeared, but Koz well.” hippie-zombie headband and flared pants, dio in late November, Koz, producer Jim said they weren’t yanked deliberately. (Ow, The weekly grind isn’t getting any easier but the look was clearly passé. Roche and director Chris Faulkner were ow, OW!) for Koz as he gets older, but he considers Koz grabbed some costume stuff he had bent over a bank of monitors, working on “I don’t know how to put this nicely, but himself “extremely lucky” to be where he is. laying around, including a top hat, an Ed- post-production. more higher-end type sponsors wanted to A cardiac arrest five years ago was the worst wardian jacket and a “Charlie’s Angels” style Koz screens and researches each film he buy time,” he said. in a series of health problems he’s dealt with wig from K-Mart. He based his look on a still shows beforehand, often delving into arcane The jokes are often groaners, but they in recent years. photo of Lon Chaney, Sr., from a lost film, trivia. are tempered by a film historian’s zeal and “I was dead a couple of times,” he said. “London After Midnight.” Koz grew up look- In a recent show, he intercut 1960s Fol- a compassionate heart. Along with pointing “They had to use the paddles. I was uncon- ing at that image, used to introduce “Creature gers Coffee commercials with “The Mum- out zippers on monster suits, inadvertent scious for several days.” Feature” on Channel 9 in Chicago. my’s Curse” to show that Virginia Christine, mirror reflections of and wires at- Shortly before the heart attack, Svengoo- “There was never anything in my mind say- the young and haunted woman resurrected tached to flying saucers, Koz often calls out lie’s old coffin, dating back to the days of Jer- ing, ‘Yeah, when it gets to be about 2018, I’ll from ancient Egypt, later became the mid- racial stereotypes or animal mistreatment in ry G. Bishop, was retired and enshrined in still be dressing like this,’” Koz said. dle-aged coffee pusher Mrs. Olsen. the films he shows. Chicago’s Museum of Broadcasting, to make There were some stakes in the heart along Snark, sarcasm and shock are no longer He took a long break during the 1946 film way for a spook-tacular, digital-ready new the way. in short supply, as they were in the 1950s. “House of Horrors” to detail the troubled life model. Comforting ritual, from the clarion call of of actor Rondo Hatton, whose acromegaly Koz cracked to his cardiologist, “I’m sure “Clear the airwaves” at the opening of the was exploited by Hollywood. that there aren’t many of your patients who show to the throwing of the rubber chick- For the history segment of “Godzilla,” he have had two coffins.” ens at the end, is at the heart of “Svengoolie.” listed members of the all-Japanese cast, in- “You almost had three,” the doctor replied. More often than not, Koz is the butt of his cluding Haruo Nakajima, the man in the “It’s like — woooo,” Koz said, partly in own humor. Far from scaring viewers, he rubber suit, and pointed out their other sig- horror-host parody, partly in earnest. “But it frequently reverts to a beleaguered, deer-in- nificant roles, just as he would for Bela Lu- was funny.” headlights expression immortalized in lots gosi or John Agar. of heavily merchandised apparel. “You want to show proper respect for Among the show’s most sacred rituals is people,” Koz said. “People are like, ‘Even in the film-specific song of the week, with mu- these movies?’ Yeah. Some of these people sical director Doug Scharf adding a solo on are excellent actors and this was the break keyboard and/or trumpet. For “Tarantula,” they got.” Koz wove new lyrics into a real Italian tar- Despite the retro feel of the show, the antella, a dance said to ward off the effects cheap sets used by horror movie hosts of of a tarantula bite. “Bride of Frankenstein” yore wouldn’t fly in the era of digital broad- Commercial & gave him an excuse for a tour de force love casting. Svengoolie’s MeTV-era set, by Chi- Residential ballad, “My Darling Frankenstein.” cago’s Acme Design, is a gorgeously lit coral Koz is not above tweaking sponsors. Lib- reef of apparatus and monster erty Mutual Insurance, a regular Svengoolie memorabilia. The classic Universal horror Fully Insured Courtesy photo advertiser, was the target of a recent spoof films, now re-mastered, show up splendidly Koz modeled his “Svengoolie” look after commercial tied to “The Car,” a 1977 film on digital home screens. Lon Chaney, Sr.’s top-hatted hypnotist/ about a killer car. For the 1945 Lon Chaney “There are people who complain, ‘Oh, it’s Call Joan at: killer in the lost 1945 thriller “London After film “Pillow of Death,” frequently seen ads in black and white,’” Koz said. “To me, that’s Midnight.” for MyPillow were spoofed as DiePillow. the worst complaint anybody can make. The (517) 881-2204 12 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • December 20, 2017

ARTS & CULTURE ART BOOKS FILM MUSIC THEATER Art of destruction A collection of work by Jim Shaw and Mike Kelley

By SKYLER ASHLEY invited to what Shaw calls “The Hidden The Broad Art Museum’s latest World,” the underbelly of middle-class, installation, “Michigan Stories: Mike suburban Christian life. Shaw uses the Kelley and Jim Shaw,” is an atypical juxtaposition of a wide variety of imag- celebration of Michigan culture and es to conjure a dystopian view of the the important artists that were born Midwest, where the influence of tel- from it. evangelists is both sinister and wide- This exhibition, which will run until spread. Feb. 25, is an expansive collection of His obsessive collection of 20th cen- works by punk rock artists Mike Kelley tury artifacts include: the bizarre outfits and Jim Shaw that celebrates the ugly worn by cultish religious groups, tarot and worships the corpse of post-flower cards, local Michigan church t-shirts power rebellious rock ‘n’ roll. and endless tapes of TV preachers, all Kelley and Shaw have been globally of which are on display. The exhibition recognized both for their experimen- also features Shaw’s series of illustrious tal art and their influential noise rock surrealistic landscapes, which seem to (Above) band Destroy All Monsters. Kelley died have a particular interest in the fore- One of Jim Shaw’s many collections of Xeroxed images, this one from 1975. The chaotic in 2012 but is survived by his paintings boding aesthetics of vacuum cleaners. images fit well with the disorder one could expect from any given Destroy All Monsters and photography, which have been dis- The Destroy All Monsters Collective concert. These shows were often improvised with several unconventional instruments, played in galleries internationally. consists of Kelley, Cary Loren and which were often household objects retooled to make as much noise as possible. The You’re not going to see the usual arti- Shaw. Peer at some selected works from band’s original incarnation never managed to record a proper studio album, but many facts of Michigan life, which have long the exhibit collected here. archived recordings are still available for listen and purchase. since become a cliché. Instead you’re

(Above) “Aahh…Youth,” by Mike Kelley. A lineup of stuffed animal figures in tattered condition, a symbol of lost innocence. Kelley in his younger years appears in the lineup with a subdued look and posture. These particular images were used by Destroy All Monsters acolytes Sonic Youth for the packaging of their critically acclaimed 1991 album Dirty.

(Left) Mall Culture by Destroy All Monsters Collective. A garish depiction of the band inside of a shopping mall. If the mall is to represent the complacency within rock music, then this depiction of the band fittingly portrays how out of place they truly were. City Pulse • December 20, 2017 www.lansingcitypulse.com 13

(Above) that celebrate Detroit media figures. Included are: The Stooges, Grand Funk Railroad, “Greetings from Detroit,” by Destroy All Monsters Collective. One of two landscapes Sun Ra, George Clinton, The Up and Scott Richardson.

(Above) Amazing Freaks of the Motor City by Destroy All Monsters Collective. Michigan poet and activist John Sinclair is given a saint-like depiction, surrounded by portraits of notable musical figures such as Iggy Pop and Ted Nugent.

Michigan Stories: Mike Kelley and Jim Shaw Through Feb. 25 Free Admission Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum Michigan State University (Above) 547 East Circle Drive Various images collected by Jim Shaw. A juxtaposition of the various things Shaw believes influence mundane East Lansing, MI 48824 Midwestern life. A constantly running tape of various televangelists, a collection of religious records and t-shirts, Tues. - Sun. Noon to 7 p.m. disturbing bible paintings, medical diagrams and photos from doctor’s visits create the imagery for a world where (517) 884-4800 • broadmuseum.msu.edu spiritual fast food has become its lifeblood. 14 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • December 20, 2017 Risqué business Super Happy Funtime brings its wild variety show to the Loft

By DYLAN TARR can’t articulate.’” A lot of people try to put Super Happy And articulate they do. Amidst a gun- Funtime in a genre, but after a decade on crazed Michigan and an overall political the road, writer, director and host Corey nightmare, Ruffin and the dozen or so Ruffin still hasn’t got any better at describ- members of Super Happy Funtime per- ing exactly what they do. form a brand of bastardized burlesque, There’s live music, there’s burlesque, bent on obliterating sexual repression. there’s comedic theater and they usually “People in power are so afraid of the take their clothes off. One thing Ruffin is freedom that comes with just being com- certain of is his group’s knack for ruffling fortable with one’s self, that’s what we try political feathers. Exhibit A: The group to put an eye on,” Ruffin explained, before regularly per- recalling one of the many times his vision Super Happy forms an act called was drastically misinterpreted. Funtime “Betsy DeVos, Cum “Once, in Grand Rapids, the cops Friday, Dec. 22 The Loft, 414 E. Michigan Gargler.” showed up and the guy in charge thought Ave., Lansing “I’m writing a that the word ‘burlesque’ meant live sex 18+, $12, $10 adv. theloftlansing.com song right now for with caged animals,” he said. “How could our next tour called you imagine stuff like that? How boring is ‘The Gun Is Good, The Penis Is Evil’,” said your life?” Ruffin, who is always impressed by the crowds That incident is nothing new for Super who turn out to witness their spectacle. Happy Funtime. The group is often met “You’d think crazy people would come see with disapproval from tourist bureaus, city us,” said Ruffin, who performs more than officials, and every bureaucrat that catches 100 shows each year. “But it’s just a freak- wind of a traveling band of pastie-wear- ing data entry guy and his wife who are ing theater maniacs descending on their like, ‘You’re saying what we’re thinking, but town. The last time the group played in St. Joseph, they fielded visits from the city attorney and the sheriff, both of whom threatened to shut down the venue. After haggling with city officials and a call to the ACLU, Super Happy Funtime finished its set, though it was punctuated US 127 & Lake Lansing Rd by visits from roving police officers sent to Courtesy Photo “check-up” on the show. The members of the Super Happy Fun Time troupe pose for a picture. The collective www.NCGmovies.com “It’s just the people who have their of performers mixes the sleazier elements of burlesque and theater to satirize issues hands on the leash that are terrified of us,” ranging from sexuality to national politics. (517) 316-9100 Ruffin said. “It’s those people who are truly Student Discount with ID sick … . The city attorney of St. Joe sees a fronted with all the horrible things inside “What’s the point of having a day job ID required for “R” rated films video of our show and she’s suddenly con- of herself that she wants to stop us.” and slaving at Meijer 40-hours a week for Sure, it’s disheartening that government the rest of your life when you can travel officials are still wary of rock ‘n’ roll attitude across the country in a bus and take your in 2017, but the good news is Ruffin and his clothes off for strangers?” Ruffin asked. crew aren’t throwing in the towel anytime “Obviously one is more important than soon. They’re having too much fun. the other.”

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM CMS! Community Music School College of Music www.cms.msu.edu • (517) 355-7661 4930 S. Hagadorn Rd., East Lansing, MI 48823 City Pulse • December 20, 2017 www.lansingcitypulse.com 15 2018 City Pulse book club celebrates the 50th anniversary of 1968 By BILL CASTANIER exhaustive narrative places the My Lai counterculture of the 1968 was unlike any year before it. Massacre within the 1960’s. Historians have said it left an “indelible” wider context of the Sept. 6 mark on the American psyche. The dai- Vietnam War. “Confessions ly news was filled with images of death, April 5 of Nat Turner” by destruction and dissidence. “Parting the William Styron. A The assassinations of Martin Luther Waters: America in Pulitzer Prize win- King Jr. and Bobby Kennedy, along with the the King Years” by ning look at the 1831 graphic execution of a Viet Cong prisoner, Taylor Branch. An Virginia Slave Revolt are seared into the collective American con- in-depth look at the through the eyes of scious. early activist life of Nat Turner. Long Live When the nation wasn’t struggling with Martin Luther King Oct. 4 the growing violence of the world, it was Jr. and the emerg- “2001: A Space entranced by the heavenly images of planet ing Civil Rights Odyssey” by Arthur the Indie! Earth sent back by the Apollo 8 space mis- Movement. C. Clarke. Introduced sion. May 3 many Americans Every purchase you make To celebrate the 50th anniversary of that “Myra to at your local bookstore watershed year, City Pulse is sponsoring a Breckinridge” and the possibility monthly book club that will run through all by Gore Vidal. of rogue computer helps ensure that it will be of 2018. Deemed por- intelligence. A film there for you in the future. Each book club meeting will be held at nographic in 1968, of the same name Schuler’s Eastwood Towne Center location it explores sexual directed by Stanley Stop by today for new and on the first Thursday of the month at 7 norms and what Kubrick was released p.m. Exceptions come when the Thursday was then called almost simultane- used books, music, films, falls near a holiday, when the book club transsexuality ously. eBooks, or to eat in the will meet on the second Thursday of that through satire. A Nov. 1 month. movie of the same name starred Raquel “House Made of Chapbook Cafe! Jan. 4 Welch. Dawn” by N. Scott 1968: “The June 7 Momaday. Won the Year that Rocked “Bobby Pulitzer Prize for We Thank You the World” by Kennedy: A Raging its exploration of for supporting your local, Mark Kurlansky. Spirit” by Chris Native American independent bookstore! A good intro- Matthews. The life, beliefs and cus- duction to the host of MSNBC’s toms in modern pivotal year in Hardball writes an day America. It is Visit SchulerBooks.com to American his- unusual biography considered a break- shop for books and ebooks tory. Kurlansky of Bobby, taking through book for tells a straight into consideration Native American lit- 24-7, and for a calendar of forward history the many moral erature. in-store events for both of of the events that conflicts of one of Dec. 6 our Lansing-area locations, changed the world. America’s most “The Teachings of Feb. 1 famous political martyrs. Don Juan: A Yaqui “ T h e July 12 Book of Knowledge” Located in the Odyssey of Echo “Summer of by Carlos Castaneda. eastwood Towne Center Company” by 68: The Season The first in of series and the Meridian Mall Doug Stanton. that Changed of books exploring Perhaps one of Baseball and the inner mind with the best looks at America Forever” the help of halluci- For more information, visit the Tet Offensive, by Tim Wendel. nogens and a sorcerer. www.schulerbooks.com as seen through This book delves the eyes of the into the Detroit soldiers who Tigers’ 1968 fought it. The World Series run book is intense, told against the brutal and hon- backdrop of a est. Stanton’s two previous works, “In changing America. Harm’s Way” and Aug. 2 “The Horse Soldiers,” “The Electric will come to the big Kool Aid Acid screen in 2018. Test” by Tom Wolfe March 1 and/or “Slouching “My Lai: Toward Bethlehem” Vietnam, 1968, by Joan Didion. and the Descent Two of the foremost into Darkness” by writers of the “new Howard Jones. journalism” move- [email protected] This nail-biting and ment explore the 16 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • December 20, 2017

Community and Identity in Art Message from the Board By Savannah Smith I wasn’t always. In my most recent film, Friends, this will be our last issue of the LGBTQIA newsletter in the City- “Don’t Touch Me,” the character I played Pulse. We’re incredibly grateful that they’ve been a steadfast supporter of our “The shortest statement of philosophy I in the film identified as non-binary. The have is my living, or the word ‘I.’” film focused on Jay, my character, who organization and for giving us an outlet when we needed one. If you want —Audre Lorde was finding out that they were demisexu- to stay current with the latest and greatest LAHR and community news, we al. These identifications, both demisexual recommend subscribing to our mailing list at http://eepurl.com/cVOekH or As an artist, I find that the most direct re- and non-binary, felt and sounded like me, visiting www.lahronline.org. If you’re interested in volunteering your time (or flection of my identity can be found in my but it was only on screen that I was able to your dollars), email [email protected]. We’ll hook you up. art. Whether that art is about me or not, it ease into those identities and tell my sto- is drawn from me and consistently, in some ry. I didn’t realize I was using this film as a way, reflects who I am. Identity and how stepping stone, but looking back it was a a person identifies is more than just- per major moment in my life as an artist and sonal — if that person chooses for it to be as a queer person. I can explore myself in so, it can be political. But identity, for me, my art. Having a community of queer and has been more than an internal struggle; it POC (People of Color) artists that support has also been a struggle of what the world that is incredibly important to making sure dictates you are. When you are presented more queer and POC artists can have their with one perspective, that is often the only voices heard. perspective there is. Even growing up in In the undergraduate film program at Leave Your a time when there is so much at our fin- Michigan State University, many of my gertips, it is easy to find ways to tune out classmates were cis and many of my class- the noise and only take in what is in front mates were white men. This made getting of you. constructive and meaningful feedback on Legacy As a young artist, my biggest concern queer films difficult. Many of their ques- is not filtering my art. Creating without tions had to with concepts I had already perceived borders or limits. As an even assumed and explored. It wasn’t until my younger artist, my biggest concern was senior year, when I was making “Don’t what other people thought of my art. My Touch Me,” that I received feedback that Your generosity nurtures scholarships biggest influence as that artist was my in- I felt was truly helpful. I was given the op- teractions with other artists like me — ee- portunity to present my film to a group of that help mid-Michigan grow incredible ing their art and having them affirm mine. queer students and faculty at Michigan When your peers affirm your art, they also State at a symposium called “Queer Con- minds and a skilled workforce in service affirm your identity. And while I am confi- dent and comfortable in my identity now, See Art, Page 17 of a brighter future.

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Be a hero. Give today. lcc.edu/heroesneeded | 517-483-1985 City Pulse • December 20, 2017 www.lansingcitypulse.com 17

cuss what you can do to support them and treated. This is your opportunity to flex then do those things. your ally muscles. You can send out educa- Surviving the Holidays In some cases, you may have to rescind tional resources and be a resource for folks a few invitations. If you know that there is who have questions about anything before a survivor of child sexual abuse who will be they do or say something harmful. for accountability and justice. By Tashmica Torok triggered by a guest’s presence or behav- You’re not done yet. Once everyone has The holiday season has arrived and adult They won’t be alone. The holidays are ior, choose the survivor. Always. They are arrived and the party has begun, it is now survivors of child sexual abuse will once incredibly difficult for trans people, people the ones who get to determine when and if your job and the job of other allies in at- again be navigating festivities where their of color, people with disabilities – people it will ever be appropriate for them to have tendance to intervene if any of your guests perpetrator may have a seat at the table. on the margins. That’s why it is critical to their perpetrator at the same table with behave in a manner that upholds rape It is common for survivors of sexual and have a concrete plan of action to safe- them. They get to choose the boundaries culture or any other system of oppression intimate partner violence to skip family guard the vulnerable people in your life. and your job will be to support them. including but not limited to: white suprem- reunions, birthday parties, funerals, wed- Here are some steps you can take to be If you know that a guest will not respect acy, rape culture, transphobia, homopho- dings, and holiday dinners to avoid hav- a good ally to the survivors of child sexual the pronouns or gender identity of your bia, ableism, or xenophobia. We all have ing to share these experiences with the abuse and other forms of oppression this queer or trans loved ones, let them know a lot of learning to do and it’s important person who sexually abused them, while holiday season: that they are welcome to eat at a different to foster an environment where we can all other family members act like nothing ever Review your guest list and reflect on who table this holiday season. They can spend learn how to treat each other with dignity happened. If they choose to speak up and will be around your table. A quick review the next year doing their own work to edu- and respect. set appropriate boundaries, they are often will likely reveal that you already know who cate themselves so that they won’t have to This year, make sure that the people who ignored, victim blamed, and shamed. Sur- is most likely to do harm and to whom. miss the next shindig. need safe, loving community the most are vivors are asked to offer forgiveness and Spend some time talking with the survivors It is your job, as the host, to set clear sitting at your table. trust without ever being offered a process or vulnerable people you’ve invited to dis- expectations about how people are to be Cheers!

Colin Kaeper- And kneeling students, it would help his principal un- You can help support Isaac — and his nick. Nate is a is like the extra derstand his motivations. The letter was classmates. Write, call, or email Fr. John Why We Kneel teammate of credit. Now for confiscated by school staff after gathering Byers and Principal Angela Johnston at Im- Kaepernick and LCHS: LCHS is only three signatures and Isaac was told maculate Heart of Mary, and carbon copy By Isaac Torok said that soldiers kind of like IHM that he was not allowed to circulate peti- If you haven’t been paying attention, Sean Costello of the Lansing Diocese and respect oth- but LCHS is a tions on school grounds. Since then, the students at Lansing Catholic High School Bishop Earl Boyea. To email the Bishop, er soldiers that high school. So school has released a policy threatening (LCHS) and Immaculate Heart of Mary you have to use a contact form (https:// died by kneeling one of the games disciplinary measures if children continue (IHM) have been using their voices to pro- www.dioceseoflansing.org/user/122/con- at their grave. I went to they to kneel during the pledge of allegiance. test racial injustice and police brutality — tact). I have been said if the play- largely by kneeling at sporting events and Principal Angela Johnston sensing racism ers kneeled then Isaac and other students were recently during the pledge of allegiance. The re- 3830 Rosemont Ave. in both schools they would have recognized by the Lansing City Council for sult? The schools have taken drastic steps Lansing, MI 48910 (LCHS and IHM). consequences. their bravery at their schools. The LAHR to discipline these students for exercising 517-882-8631 IHM is doing it They said things Board recognizes that the injustices being their free speech. At LAHR, we believe that [email protected] more calmly by that implied that demonstrated within these schools infil- providing a platform for these students’ Fr. John Byers telling the kids they could be EX- trate our entire community. We join the voices is critical in supporting their efforts. Immaculate Heart of Mary Church they can’t kneel. PELLED! Not very students in solidarity. One student, Isaac Torok, tried to circu- 3815 South Cedar Street But they do funny. No kids did late this petition at Immaculate Heart of Lansing, MI 48910 make sure that get expelled, but Mary in November 2017. (It’s been revised, 517-393-3030 we recognize that was still a just a tiny bit, for publishing clarity). [email protected] that police bru- bad thing to tell The reason we kneel during the pledge Sean Costello tality and racism kids. of allegiance is to bring attention to a type 517-342-2483 is happening So I am get- of racism called police brutality. It is not [email protected] and are doing a ting a petition of bad to kneel or disrespectful to the people prayer but they names to send to who fought in wars. We know this because don’t seem to understand that extra is the Diocese of Lansing. a military veteran named Nate Boyer talk- good. Even though in school they say that He thought that if he wrote a petition ed with the original player who kneeled, extra credit can only HELP your grades. and gathered the signatures of his fellow

These artists and teachers helped me art from local and national artists, with the Art connect with an identity that grounded main goal being raising the voices of mar- me. When your experience is never talked ginalized artists. All it took was one person about, it is easy to assume it does not ex- sending a message to other queer and from page 16 ist. I didn’t realize there were other queer POC artists. We found solace in each oth- versations.” It was here that, for the first people of color making art about them- er and in the things we cared about. We time, I felt the things my classmates would selves. I didn’t realize it was something I not only sought to raise up other marginal- take time to understand were openly ac- could do until I saw someone else doing ized artists, but also each other. At our first cepted. This allowed us common ground it. Having a community of artists that I feel event, “Art Grl Starter Pack” we featured to discuss the technical and creative ways a part of is, at times, as important as cre- the art of women, non-binary folks, of all I was exploring these concepts. It was also ating that art. It gives me the power to go backgrounds and colors. Artists local and the first time I had shown any work toa on when things feel bleak. Sometimes it beyond. While Nameless made the event, completely queer audience. While I don’t feels like creating art isn’t fighting at all. it was the support of the community and blame my classmates for their lack of in- But when I see my mentors and peers each other that made it magical. Support terest in gender and sexuality, it was an fighting the same fight by simply existing, and community has made projects that I incredible experience to be able to talk to it inspires me to not give up. didn’t even know were possible, possible. queers about this queer-ass movie. It was That’s why starting the Nameless Collec- Having a community of artists who you affirming and exhilarating. It is this kind of tive in Lansing was a huge moment in my affirm and affirm you, is, without a doubt, networking and collaboration that inspires art community. At Nameless Collective, we the most valuable truth I have found as an young artists to keep creating. have hosted numerous events that feature artist. 18 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • December 20, 2017

1355 E. Grand River Ave East Lansing. 517-862-8926.

Lansing Area Codependents Anonymous. At 5:45 Pinball wizards welcome at Silver Balls in the City p.m. FREE. Everybody Reads Books and Stuff, 2019 E. Michigan Ave. Lansing. (517) 346-9900.

Spanish Conversation Group. From 7 to 8 p.m. FREE. East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road East Lansing. (517) 351-2420. ON THE MUSIC New Horizons Community Band. From 9 to 11 a.m. FREE. MSU Community Music School, 4930 Hagadorn Road East Lansing. (517) 355-7661.

Waterfronts Open Mic/Jam. From 6 to 10 p.m. free and kids are fine until 9. Waterfront Bar and Grille, TOWN 325 City Market Drive Lansing. Events must be entered through the calendar at lansingcitypulse.com. Deadline is 5 p.m. EVENTS Wednesdays for the following week’s issue. Photo by Skyler Ashley Charges may apply for paid events to appear 12-Step Meeting . From 12 to 1 p.m. FREE. Donations welcome.. Cristo Rey Community Center, 1717 N. High in print. If you need assistance, please call St. Lansing. Ella at (517) 999-6704. Drop-in LEGO Club (Age 4 & up). From 3:15 to Dec. 27 4:30 p.m. FREE. Capital Area District Libraries Wednesday, December 20 Webberville Branch, 115 South Main Street Webberville. 517.521.3643. The array of pinball machines on the upper balcony of The Avenue Cafe. Participants will play on these CLASSES-AND-SEMINARS Film Movement Series (Adults & mature teens). machines and their entry fees will be donated to charity. From 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. FREE. Capital Area District “Star Wars,” “Ghostbusters,” “Star Trek,” “He died very suddenly,” she said. “I hope the Essential Oils - Senior Discovery Group. Libraries Okemos Branch, 4321 Okemos Road “The Simpsons,” “Lord of the Rings,” and tournament will be an opportunity to honor his From 10 a.m. to noon FREE. Allen Market Okemos. 517.347.2021. Place, 1629 E. Kalamazoo St. Lansing. numerous other familiar titles sit neatly in memory with a big donation to CAHS.” Ladies Silver Blades Figure Skating Club . From 9:30 rows on Lansing’s East Side—but not in a Mindfulness. From 7 to 9 p.m. Chua Van Hanh For those looking to partake in the round- to 11:20 a.m. $5 and yearly dues fee. Suburban Ice, video rental store, they’re pinball machines robin tourney, each participant will have a few Temple, 3015 S. Washington Lansing. 2810 Hannah Blvd. East Lansing. lining the walls of the Avenue Café. chances to take the crown and score some Practice Your English. From 7 to 8 p.m. Lunch at the Meridian Senior Center. From 12 to 1 On Dec. 27, it’s likely all 23 of the café’s real recognition, since the Lansing Pinball FREE. East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot p.m. $5.75/$3 suggested for ages 60+. Meridian machines will be feverishly flashing and League is endorsed by the International Road East Lansing. (517) 351-2420. Senior Center, 4406 Okemos Road Okemos. chiming during the annual Silver Balls in the Flipper Pinball Association, a badge of honor City charity pinball tournament. the local league acquired in November 2014. MUSIC Party Bridge. From 1 to 4 p.m. $1 Members/$2 Public. Meridian Senior Center, 4406 Okemos Road This is the third year the Lansing Pinball “The tournament forum is three strikes, Tavern House Jazz Band. From 7:30 p.m. to Okemos. League will host the annual Capital Area you play until you have three losses,” Kendrick 10:30 a.m. Tavern and Tap, 101 S. Washington Humane Society (CAHS) benefit. Each entrant said. “The tournament is also officiated and Square Lansing. ARTS pays a $10 fee to play, but it’s not about sanctioned, so people can get world ranking turning a profit, according to event organizer points.” EVENTS Ballroom Lessons (Pasodoble). From 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. $42 per couple; $21 individual. Jackson School Heather Kendrick. First timers are welcome to say hello to Cooking with Kids. From 5 to 6:30 p.m. FREE. of the Arts, 634 N. Mechanic St. Jackson. (517) 784- “I don’t take any of my costs out, [the Kendrick at the Silver Balls event, and she East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road 2389. East Lansing. (517) 351-2420. CAHS] gets all of that,” said the frugal won’t be hard to spot, either. “I’ll be wearing a Friday, December 22 Kendrick, who even designs and creates the deer antler hat,” she promised. “I don’t need Family Storytime (Ages up to 6). From 10:30 awards to save on costs. “I make holiday- much of an excuse to wear something goofy.” to 11:30 a.m. FREE. Capital Area District EVENTS themed trophies. They’ll be painted with Kendrick, who has lived on Lansing’s East Libraries Williamston Branch, 201 School glittering silver paint and have Christmas Street Williamston. 517.655.1191. Side since 1999, lives with her husband Joseph Teen Hot Chocolate Bar. From 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. knick-knacks on top,” she added. Nebus, a fellow league member. Kendrick, FREE. East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road who said “Michigan is considered one of the Holiday Storytime (Ages 1½?6). From 10 East Lansing. (517) 351-2420. Being the host to this, and other pinball to 10:30 a.m. FREE. Capital Area District events, comes naturally to Kendrick, a big states for pinball,” is ranked 814th in the Libraries Foster Branch, 200 North Foster Sunday, December 24 devotee to the game. world and 16th in the state, but you don’t Lansing. 517.485.5185. “My favorite game at the Avenue Café have to be a pinball wizard to sign up for the CLASSES-AND-SEMINARS Holiday Storytime (Ages up to 6). From 11:15 is ‘Attack From Mars,’” said Kendrick, who Lansing Pinball League. The casual and fun group meets two Tuesdays each month at 7:30 a.m. to noon FREE. Capital Area District Charlotte Yoga Club. From 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. $5 spends hours traveling the state chasing Libraries Webberville Branch, 115 South Main annually. AL!VE, 800 W Lawrence Charlotte. Juggling. her hobby. “I play a lot of pinball. I’m in four p.m. at the Avenue Café. The next gathering Street Webberville. 517.521.3643. From 2 to 4 p.m. FREE. Orchard Street Pumphouse, leagues.” is Jan. 9. For the complete schedule, visit 368 Orchard St. East Lansing. lansingpinleague.com. Thursday, December 21 Kendrick, 43, is also senior lecturer of “We welcome people of all skills and levels,” HOLIDAYS philosophy at Central Michigan University, CLASSES-AND-SEMINARS which further ties into her love of animals. Kendrick said. “It’s a chance to play with a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. From 5 to 6 p.m. Her teachings include “ethics as it pertains variety of players and anyone who plays in it (TOPS) Take Off Pounds Sensibly . At 6 Salus Center, 624 E. Michigan Ave Lansing. will become a world ranked pinball player.” p.m. First meeting FREE.. Haslett Middle to animals” and “animal welfare issues,” she explained. School, 1535 Franklin St. Haslett. A Course EVENTS in Miracles. From 7 to 9 p.m. Unity Spiritual “It’s a charity I believe in,” said Kendrick, —DAVID WINKLESTERN Center of Lansing, 230 S. Holmes Lansing. Lansing Area Sunday Swing Dance . At 6 p.m. $8 who’s owned two rescue rabbits – Hazel and 517-371-3010. dance, $10 dance & lesson. The Lansing Eagles, the General – from CAHS. “Animals are a part 4700 N. Grand River Ave. Lansing. (517) 321-0933. Free Yoga for Kids and Youth. From 5:30 to of my professional and private life.” 7:15 p.m. FREE for Youth ages 6-13. Parents Monday, December 25 Until recently, Kendrick had another pay usual rates. . Bikram Yoga Capital Area, See Out on the Town Page 21 rescued rabbit named Columbo. City Pulse • December 20, 2017 www.lansingcitypulse.com 19

A survey of Lansing’s Musical LAndscape TURN IT D WNy IC TICA

Sat., Dec. 23 Dasterds Fri., Dec. 22 Brent lowry Fri., Jan. 12 Joshua Davis

It’s Shitmas at Mac’s Bar Brent Lowry & the Drifters at Tequila Cowboy Joshua Davis at the Ten Pound Fiddle

Dec. 22-23 @ Tequila Cowboy, 5660 W. Saginaw Friday, Jan. 12 @ MSU Community Music School, Saturday, Dec. 23 @ Mac’s Bar, 2700 E. Michigan 4930 S. Hagadorn, East Lansing. All ages, $20, $18 Ave., Lansing. All ages, $8, $7 adv., 6:30 p.m. Hwy, Lansing. 21+, FREE, 8 p.m. members, $5 students.

A pre-Christmas celebration stocked with local punk and indie-rock Brent Lowry & the Drifters return to Tequila Cowboy in the Lansing Mall Next month, former Steppin’ In It front man and NBC’s “The Voice” bands takes over Mac’s Saturday. Performing the all-ages show are the for a two-day run of free shows this weekend. Since its formation in finalist Joshua Davis returns to the Ten Pound Fiddle. Since his 2015 Plurals, Corduroy Heart, Foxhole and Stop Bobby Hatch. Also taking the 2016, the five-piece country-rock act has warmed up stages for the likes run on the hit television show, Davis remained in Michigan and cut a stage are Dasterds, a Lansing-based punk trio that released its five- of David Allan Coe, Parmalee and Josh Thompson. The band comprises new full-length Americana record, “The Way Back Home.” Released song “Un-Cooler” EP in March. The Dasterds debuted in the summer Brent Lowry (lead vocals, guitar), Seth Lambert (lead guitar), Steve in September, the 11-track LP was recorded locally by Glenn Brown. of 2016 with its amped-up three-song debut, the “Wet Hot Garbage” Geroski (bass), Andrew Lewallen (drums) and multi-instrumentalist Lyrically, the new disc reflects honest, blue-collar stories – spanning EP, both are streamed in full at dasterds.bandcamp.com. Meanwhile, Wade Wedge on banjo, pedal steel, mandolin and more. This year, triumphant and to the dark periods. Also featured on the record is Stop Bobby Hatch, led by Troy Burris, is a Grand Ledge-based rock the Ohio-based outlaw-country band hit a few more milestones after Jack White’s bassist Dominic John Davis (a fellow Steppin’ In It veteran), outfit that just released “Baby Hatch,” a Christmas-themed EP. Prior opening for Toby Keith and Rodney Atkins and is releasing its second pianist Mike Lynch (who’s worked with Willie Nelson, Leon Russell) and to that, the band released the raucous “New Money” LP, the group’s EP, “The Drifter,” in May. Over the summer, Lowry and his band traveled drummer Mike Shimmin. A Michigan folk vet, Davis cut his teeth for sophomore effort, in September 2016. That disc, and a collection of to Skaggs Place Studio in Nashville and began work on its next EP, due years playing weekly gigs at the Green Door, but has also shared stages lo-fi, stripped-down demos, like the piano ballad “Mississippi Misses,” out this year. Fans of Hank Williams Jr. and Waylon Jennings might want with the likes of Pete Seeger and Arlo Guthrie. are streamed at soundcloud.com/stopbobbyhatch. to check out Lowry.

vv Contact [email protected]

LIVE & LOCAL Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

The Avenue Café, 2021 E. Michigan Ave. Service Industry Night, Open Mic Karaoke Pajama Party Man vs Wild Crunchy's, 254 W. Grand River Ave. Jackalope Karaoke, 9 p.m. Karaoke, 9 p.m. Karaoke, 9 p.m. Coach's, 6201 Bishop Road DJ Trivia, 8 p.m. Pool Tourny, 7:30 a.m. Alskn "walleye" AYCE DJ, 9 p.m. Darb's Tavern, 117 S. Cedar St. Greg Smith Esquire, 1250 Turner St. Karaoke, 9 p.m. The Exchange, 314 E. Michigan Ave. Live Blues w/ The Good Cookies, 8 p.m. Mike Skory & Friends, 8:30 p.m. Blue Haired Bettys Be Kind Rewind Green Door, 2005 E. Michigan Ave. "Johnny D" Blues Night, 9 p.m. Karaoke Kraze!! Soulstice Festivas Party w/ Global Village The Loft, 414 E. Michigan Ave. Super Happy Fun Time Christmas Jam Mac's Bar, 2700 E. Michigan Ave. Endeavors 5pm/ Jorbsmas 9pm Dasterds

Reno's East, 1310 Abbot Road The New Rule, 7pm The New Rule, 7pm

The Robin Theatre, 1105 S. Washington Ave. Luke Winslow King, 7pm Tequila Cowboy, 5660 W. Saginaw Hwy. Brent Lowry & the Drifters, 8 p.m. Brent Lowry and the Drifters, 8pm Watershed Tavern and Grill 5965 Marsh Rd. . Capital City DJ's Capital City DJ's 20 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • December 20, 2017

Jonesin' Crossword By Matt Jones Free Will Astrology By Rob Brezsny December 20-26

“Not That Exciting”-- Aries (March 21-April 19) Your life in the first half will be especially valuable -- and may even redefine no wait, the puzzle’s of 2018 will be like a psychological boot camp that’s your understanding of what’s truly valuable. exciting, I promise! designed to beef up your emotional intelligence. Libra (September 23-October 22) In fairy tales, Across Here’s another way to visualize your oncoming characters are often rewarded for their acts of adventures: They will constitute a friendly nudge kindness. They may be given magical objects that 1 Actor Oscar of “Ex from the cosmos, pushing you to be energetic and Machina” serve as protection, like cloaks of invisibility or ingenious in creating the kind of partnerships you shoes that enable them to flee trouble. Or the 6 Like some potato want for the rest of your long life. As you go through salads blessings they receive may be life-enhancing, like your interesting tests and riddles, be on the lookout enchanted cauldrons that provide a never-ending 10 Rating unit for glimpses of what your daily experience could be supply of delicious food or musical instruments that 14 “That Girl” actress like in five years if you begin now to deepen your have the power to summon delightful playmates. I ___ Thomas commitment to love and collaboration. bring this up, Libra, because I suspect that a similar 15 Felt bad about Taurus (April 20-May 20) You’ll soon have a chance principle will be very active in your life during 2018. to glide out into the frontier. I suggest you pack You’ll find it easier and more natural than usual to 16 It works in the wind your bag of tricks. Bring gifts with you, too, just express kindness, empathy, and compassion. If you 17 Carrie Underwood’s in case you must curry favor in the frontiers consistently capitalize on this predilection, life will 2005 debut album where the rules are a bit loose. How are your readily provide you with the resources you need. 19 Apple that turns 20 improvisational instincts? Be sure they’re in top Scorpio (October 23-November 21) Like all of us, in 2018 shape. How willing are you to summon spontaneity you go through mediocre phases when you’re not 20 The next U.S. one and deal with unpredictability and try impromptu functioning at peak efficiency. But I suspect that in will be in 2020 experiments? I hope you’re very willing. This may 2018 you will experience fewer of these blah times. 21 Donizetti work, e.g. sound like a lot of work, but I swear it’ll be in a good We will see a lot of you at your best. Even more cause. If you’re well-prepared as you wander in the 22 “___ you serious?” than usual, you’ll be an interesting catalyst who borderlands, you’ll score sweet secrets and magic energizes and ripens collaborative projects. You’ll 25 66, for one (abbr.) cookies. Here’s more good news: Your explorations demonstrate why the sweet bracing brightness 26 Uncooked will position you well to take advantage of the needs the deep dark depths, and vice versa. You’ll opportunities that’ll become available throughout 28 Where pagers were help allies open doors that they can’t open by 2018. worn themselves. The rest of us thank you in advance! 29 Showtime series Gemini (May 21-June 20) These days it’s not Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) The about a killer of killers unusual to see male celebrities who shave their blunt fact is that you can’t be delivered from brothers 7 Spiritual advisor of 36 Say heads. Bruce Willis, Dwayne Johnson, Seal, Tyrese 31 Cash, slangily sorts the old demoralizing pattern that has repeated 54 Overdid the acting 37 John Irving’s “A Gibson, and Vin Diesel are among them. But in the and repeated itself -- until you forgive yourself 33 Figure at the pump 57 Footfall 8 Makes a lot of dough Prayer for Owen ___” 20th century, the bare-headed style was rare. One completely. For that matter, you probably can’t 34 Slippery, as winter 9 Fabric measures 39 Holy fish? famous case was actor Yul Brynner. By age 30, he’d move on to the next chapter of your life story until 58 Dwelling with a begun to go bald. In 1951, for his role as the King roads skeleton of timbers (abbr.) 40 Glowing brightly you compensate yourself for at least some of the of Siam in the Broadway play The King and I, he unnecessary torment you’ve inflicted on yourself. 35 “One” on some coins 62 Type of year 2020 10 Leave out 42 Coal receptacle decided to shave off all his hair. From then on, the Now here’s the good news: 2018 will be an excellent 38 Go pop will be? 11 Long-standing, like 43 Rigid social system naked-headed look became his trademark as he time to accomplish these healings. 39 Word that I guess 63 Letterman’s rival, many traditions plied a successful acting career. So he capitalized 45 “You’re a better man Capricorn (December 22-January 19) In 2018, one is hidden in the theme once 12 Pong creator than I am, Gunga ___!”: on what many in his profession considered a liability. answers, but whatever He built his power and success by embracing an of your primary missions will be to practice what 64 Earliest stage 13 Sum up Kipling you preach; to walk your talk; to be ambitious and 40 Scribbled down apparent disadvantage. I recommend you practice 65 What turns STEM to 18 ___ nous 47 Elon Musk’s company your own version of this strategy in 2018. The masterful in all the ways a soulful human can and 41 Picked-over STEAM? (confidentially) 48 Sleek river swimmer coming weeks will be an excellent time to begin. should be ambitious and masterful. Live up to your substances 66 See 3-Down 21 Be indebted hype in the coming months, Capricorn! Do what you 50 Jason of “Game of Cancer (June 21-July 22) In the Northern 42 Animal in the 67 Cold weather range 22 Marinade in some Thrones” have promised! Stop postponing your dreams! Fulfill Bacardi logo Hemisphere, where 88 percent of the world’s the noble expectations you have for yourself! Don’t Down Spanish cuisine 53 Smartphone population resides, this is a quiescent time for 43 Magna ___ (1215 be shy about using exclamation points to express 23 Make a comeback programs the natural world. Less sunlight is available, and document) (var.) 1 Contacts via Skype, your visions of what’s right and good and just! maybe 24 Health problem on 55 Michael who plants’ metabolisms slow down as photosynthesis 44 Field docs diminishes. Deciduous trees lose their leaves, Aquarius (January 20- February 18) Years ago, 2 ___ TomÈ and some summer days directed “Miami Vice” 46 “Annie” star Quinn and even many evergreens approach dormancy. when I started my career as a horoscope writer, PrÌncipe 27 Random quantity 56 Over it my editor counseled me, “Always give priority to the 47 Low digit? And yet in the midst of this stasis, Cancerian, you 3 66-Across’s location 30 CafÈ au lait 58 Reason for a shot are beginning to flourish. Gradually at first, but Big Three. Romance, money, and power are what 49 Stamp pad stuff 4 Current “Match container 59 Expend with increasing urgency, you’re embarking on an people care about most.” After a few months, he 50 Montana hrs. Game” host Baldwin 31 Regimens that may unprecedented phase of growth. I foresee that was disgruntled to realize that I wrote about how to 60 Title for Doug Jones cultivate psychological health and nourish spiritual 51 Like some wines be faddish 2018 will be your Year of Blossoming. 5 Making sense of Ala. aspirations as much as his Big Three. He would 32 Out in the country 52 One of the Coen 6 Get rid of 61 Aliens, for short Leo (July 23-August 22) If you’ve had an unfulfilled have replaced me if he could have found another curiosity about genealogy or your ancestors or the astrology writer whose spelling and grammar were ©2017 Jonesin’ Crosswords • For answers to this puzzle, call: 1-900-226-2800, 99 cents per minute. Must be 18+. Or to bill to riddles of your past, 2018 will be a favorable time as good as mine. But his edict traumatized me a your credit card, call: 1-800-655-6548. Answers Page 21 to investigate. Out-of-touch relatives will be easier bit. Even today, I worry that I don’t provide you with to locate than usual. Lost heirlooms, too. You may enough help concerning the Big Three. Fortunately, be able to track down and make use of a neglected that’s not relevant now, since I can sincerely declare legacy. Even family secrets could leak into view -- that 2018 will bring you chances to become more SUDOKU INTERMEDIATE both the awkward and the charming kinds. If you powerful by working hard on your psychological think you have everything figured out about the health . . . and to grow wealthier by cultivating your people you grew up with and the history of where spiritual aspirations . . . and to generate more love TO PLAY you came from, you’re in for surprises. by being wise and ethical in your quest for money Virgo (August 23-September 22) Most of us regard and power. our ring fingers as the least important of our digits. Pisces (February 19-March 20) What binds you? Fill in the grid so that every What are they good for? Is there any activity for What keeps you closed down and locked up? I row, column, and outlined which they’re useful? But our ancestors had a urge you to ponder those questions, Pisces. Once stronger relationship with their fourth fingers. There you get useful answers, the next step will be to 3-by-3 box contains the was a folk belief that a special vein connected the meditate on how you can undo the binds. Fantasize fourth finger on the left hand directly to the heart. and brainstorm about the specific actions you can numbers 1 through 9 exactly That’s why a tradition arose around the wedding ring take to unlock and unclose yourself. This project being worn there. It may have also been a reason will be excellent preparation for the opportunities once. No guessing is required. why pharmacists regarded their fourth fingers as that the coming months will make available to having an aptitude for discerning useful blends of you. I’m happy to announce that 2018 will be your The solution is unique. herbs. I bring this up, Virgo, because I think it’s an personal Year of Liberation. apt metaphor for one of 2018’s important themes: Answers on page 21 A resource you have underestimated or neglected

Go to RealAstrology.com to check out Rob Brezsny’s EXPANDED WEEKLY AUDIO HOROSCOPES and DAILY TEXT MESSAGE HOROSCOPES. The audio horoscopes are also available by phone at 1-877-873-4888 or 1-900-950-7700. City Pulse • December 20, 2017 www.lansingcitypulse.com 21 Out on the town Tuesday, December 26 CLASSES-AND-SEMINARS from page 18 Capital City Toastmasters Meeting. At 7 p.m. FREE for visitors.. CADL Downtown Lansing Library, 401 S. Capitol Ave. Lansing. (517) 367-6300.

CLASSES-AND-SEMINARS Duplicate Bridge . From 1 to 4 p.m. $2 members, $3 non members . Meridian Senior Center, 4406 A Course in Love. From 1 to 2 p.m. Unity Spiritual Okemos Road Okemos. Center of Lansing, 230 S. Holmes Lansing. 517-371- 3010. Yawn Patrol Toastmasters. From 7 to 8:30 a.m. FREE for visitors.. MICA Gallery, 1210 N. Turner St. Lansing. MUSIC MUSIC New Horizons Community Band. From 6 to 8 p.m. MSU Community Music School, 4930 Hagadorn Road Jazz Tuesdays at Moriarty's. From 7 to 10 p.m. FREE. East Lansing. (517) 355-7661. Moriarty's Pub, 802 E. Michigan Ave. Lansing. (517) 485-5287. EVENTS EVENTS Ask the Lawyer at the Meridian Senior Center . From 9:30 a.m. to noon FREE. Meridian Senior Center, Baby Storytime (Ages up to 2). From 10:30 to 11 a.m. GREEN DOT STABLES / LA COCINA CUBANA / DIME’S BREWHOUSE 4406 Okemos Road Okemos. FREE. Capital Area District Libraries South Lansing Allan Ross/City Pulse Branch, 3500 S. Cedar St. Lansing. 517-272-9840. Chess, Cribbage, Hand & Foot. From 10 a.m. to 4:30 Green Dot Stables opened last week on Lansing’s east side. Owner/operator Jacques Driscoll spent more than $1 million p.m. FREE. Meridian Senior Center, 4406 Okemos and year and a half transforming the former Whiskey Barrel Saloon into the restaurant, which specializes in creative slider Bingo, Bridge, and Euchre. From 1 to 4:30 p.m. Cost burgers. Work included building a replica barn in the middle of the dining room that serves as a semi-private room. Road Okemos. Varies . Meridian Senior Center, 4406 Okemos Road Okemos. By ALLAN I. ROSS downtown denizens authentic Caribbean cuisine Social Bridge. From 1 to 4 p.m. $1.50. Delta Township Within a week of each other, and just in time within walking distance. Enrichment Center, 4538 Elizabeth Road Lansing. Game Night at UrbanBeat. From 7 to 11 p.m. FREE. for office party season, Metro Lansing is getting “I always envisioned this as a restaurant,” UrbanBeat Event Center, 1213 Turner St. Lansing. two new restaurants along with a craft brewery. Almaguer said. “But starting as a food truck was a ARTS Interestingly, each one is owned and operated by great way to connect with the community first.” LCC West Toastmasters. From 5 to 6:30 p.m. LCC a husband-and-wife duo, throwing all warnings of The new location allowed Almaguer to nearly Monday Night Life Drawing. From 7 to 9 p.m. $10 per West Campus, 5708 Cornerstone Drive Lansing. pens and company ink out the window. double the size of her menu, including adding lamb session ($5 for students) to cover the model and 5174831314. First out of the gate was the racetrack-themed and beefsteak options. She also has breakfast and studio.. O'Day Studios, Suite 115 1650 Kendale Blvd. craft beer and slider bar Green Dot Stables, which dinner dishes, as well as authentic Cuban coffee and East Lansing. Overeaters Anonymous. At 7 p.m. Presbyterian opened last Thursday south of the Frandor Shopping a line of Cuban sodas. Church of Okemos, 2258 Bennett Road., Okemos. Center. It’s the second North American location “I’m excited to be downtown,” Almaguer said. “I (517) 349-9536. for co-owners Christine and Jacques Driscoll, who hope to see a lot of new faces.” also run a Green Dot location in Detroit’s Corktown Dimes drops DEC. 22 >> FOUNDER’S CANADIAN BREAKFAST STOUT TAPPING PARTY neighborhood as well as two other restaurant Following a lengthy build-out, Dimes concepts. But even with years of experience in the Brewhouse is set to open Thursday, Dec. 21, in business, the packed dining room on opening day downtown Dimondale. Husband-and-wife team The Avenue Cafe will have the coveted Founder's Canadian Breakfast Stout on tap this Friday at 5 p.m. left owner and operator Jacques Driscoll in awe. Chad and Michelle Rogers transitioned from careers Ruckus Ramen, which operates out of the Avenue Cafe, will join the celebration by introducing two new “I’ve never served this many people before,” he in chemical engineering to the trade of craft beer breakfast themed ramen bowls. There will also be free pinball and pool upstairs. Founder’s Canadian said, surveying the 12,000-square-foot dining area brewing. Chad Rogers had been home brewing for Breakfast Stout is one of the highest rated beers nationally and has been kept under wraps for six years. that can seat about 350 guests. “This is bigger than eight years and decided to take a professional leap It is expected to disappear quickly, so arrive early. my other three restaurants combined. I can’t believe into his passion. 5 p.m. at the Avenue Cafe, 2021 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing., avenuecafelansing.com this.” “We’ve always been interested in the The tight menu consists of 24 varieties of mini- engineering side of things,” Chad Rogers said. “It burgers, five types of fries, including the gravy-and- seemed like a brewery would be a perfect match DEC. 26 & 27>>WONDERLAND OF LIGHTS AT POTTER PARK ZOO cheese curd specialty, poutine, and a few selections between what we had learned in school and what of sides, salads, soups and desserts. The kitchen is we enjoyed to do on our free time.” Wonderland of Lights is a yearly holiday themed exhibit at Potter Park Zoo that will feature thousands of overseen by Cordon Bleu-trained chef Les Molnar, He’s a Dimondale native who moved back to lights shaped to create images of animals and holiday displays. The event features cookies, crafts and who adds a touch of elegance to the deceptively his hometown five years ago. The brewery is set up encounters with animals that can be enjoyed by children of all ages. It is still outdoors, so make sure to unpretentious menu. inside a former florist, which the pair spent over two Everything, including the bar menu, is priced at and half years transforming into a brewing facility bundle up. $3 or less, yet it all smacks of culture. Slider offerings and tasting room. 5 - 8 p.m. at Potter Park Zoo, Admission: $7 for adults, $5 for kids, free for children under 3, 1301 S include pork belly char siu, lamb vindaloo and “I’ve been looking at this beautiful equipment Pennsylvania Ave, Lansing, potterparkzoo.org chicken cordon bleu and there’s a chicken paprikash just sit there for a long time,” Chard Rogerd said. “I’m soup—let the “too much pepper” jokes begin. really anxious to start using it.” Craft cocktail options include the obvious mint Green Dot Stables julep, to match the equestrian theme, and the Tom 410 S. Clippert St., Lansing SUDOKU SOLUTION CROSSWORD SOLUTION Izzo Collins, a creative local twist on an old bar 11 a.m.-midnight Monday-Wednesday; 11 a.m.-1 From Pg. 20 From Pg. 20 standard. a.m. Thursday-Saturday; noon-10 p.m. Sunday The Driscolls invested about $1 million to (517) 574-4214, greendotstables.com upgrade the former country-western bar, Whiskey La Cocina Cubana Barrel Saloon. A set of booths on each side of the 123 S. Washington Square, Lansing room have been fashioned to resemble horse stalls, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday; noon-8 p.m. while a massive barn was erected on the former Sunday dance floor. (517) 894-3079 “Yeah, we built a barn,” Jacques Driscoll said. “It’s Dimes Brewhouse what every restaurant in Lansing was missing.” 145 N. Bridge St., Dimondale Cuban flair 3-11 p.m. Thursday-Friday; noon-11 p.m. Monday marked the grand opening for La Saturday-Sunday; closed Monday-Tuesday Cocina Cubana, the brick-and-mortar version of dimesbrewhouse.com Iliana Almaguer’s 3-year-old Cuban food truck. She Allan I. Ross is a weekly contributor to the Lansing and her husband, Tobia, now have a prime location City Pulse. If you know of any new businesses in town, in downtown Lansing, giving capital workers and contact him at [email protected]. 22 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • December 20, 2017 HE ATE SHE ATE Capital City BBQ Expect the unexpected BBQ joint lives up to Guy Fieri-hype

By MARK NIXON There it sits on a busy westside street corner, drab as a fire hydrant. Imagine the be- By GABRIELLE JOHNSON LAWRENCE wildered looks from hungry newcomers who step inside and see … a cell phone store. Let’s get one thing straight – the location is atypical. Welcome to Capital City BBQ, a place I fell in love with almost instantly, once my bewil- Positively wedged into a corner lot at the intersection of Martin Luther King Bou- derment melted away. levard and Saginaw, Capital City BBQ is a one-stop shop if you need a cell phone or Yes, indeed, this tiny restaurant shares the same roof as the Sunshine Cellular store. lunch. Which, oddly, makes it more endearing. That’s right, this place has both. If you hadn’t heard of it before, that It’s hard to wrap my head around a restaurant that blends Southern might have changed a few months ago when the aggressively blonde, barbecue with humble Vietnamese cuisine. Maybe this is common. Capital City BBQ highly obnoxious Guy Fieri came to town and featured the Banh Mi Maybe I simply don’t get out enough. I choose to call it inspired. 11 a.m.- 8 p.m. on his Food Network show. Ignore that. Go there anyway, because Closed Sunday On the Southern end of the food spectrum are items like smoked the food is good and the location is weird. Don’t we like things to be 1026 W. Saginaw St., Lansing beef brisket ($12.95 for a half-pound) and baby back ribs ($30.95 a little bit weird in Lansing? for a full rack, plus two sides). I maintain that Saddleback BBQ in (517) 775-8500 facebook.com/capitalcitybbq We started with an order of Vietnamese spring rolls, traditionally REO Town sets the gold standard for smoked meats in this town. But one of my favorites. I love the clear wrapper, which lets you see the Capital City BBQ comes very close to that mark. fresh, colorful ingredients like cucumber, cilantro and shrimp – all Smoke permeates the menu. Indeed, on one visit they were hawk- are included in this version. Unfortunately, my excitement to try ing smoked meat loaf. I began salivating. Alas, that special was scheduled for the fol- these died with my first bite, as these were totally devoid of flavor. lowing week when I wasn’t around. Beautiful, yes. Flavorful, not so much. My lunch continued with a bowl of pho, eat- On the other end of the spectrum is Vietnamese fare. They have seven kinds of Banh en at a table in my office because our order was to-go. Mi, a Vietnamese sandwich, for $5.95. I tried the grilled A word on this – seating at the restaurant is extremely lemongrass pork Banh Mi, a concoction of pulled pork limited. As in, there might be 10 seats in the place, and coleslaw tucked into thick slices of baguette-like and parking is even worse. bread. The taste and texture were outstanding. During a subsequent trip for takeout, when I went Just days before Thanksgiving and with family in inside to collect our food, I heard more than three town, I ordered a huge amount of takeout food to feed groups of people mention a 25-minute wait for sand- the clan (since in-house dining is very limited, I no- wiches and there was no seating. They left to go some- ticed most customers order takeout). where else. I understand there isn’t much that can be Per usual, I ordered too much food. The Vietnamese done about logistics, but I hate to see a small business spring rolls, six for $11.95, were practically an entree hemorrhage its customers like that. unto themselves. Here you have shrimp, cilantro, rice My pho (Vietnamese noodle soup, pronounced noodles and cucumber sheathed in a translucent rice “faux”) was brothy, rich, meaty and had lots of ac- wrap. They look like museum pieces under frosted glass. coutrements, just like it should. The broth came in a Dip one end of the spring roll in the accompanying separate container than the bean sprouts, Thai basil, peanut sauce and you have a pure taste of humble thinly-sliced jalapeno pepper, lime wedges, fish sauce Vietnamese cuisine. The freshness of the ingredients, Gabrielle Johnson Lawrence/City Pulse and beef slices. The idea is you toss your preferred the aromatic bite of the cilantro and the toasty notes of Capital City BBQ is a quirky wedge of a building crammmed with Southern Barbecue and additions into the broth and let the heat meld every- peanut sauce make a perfect symphony. Vietnamiese cuisine. thing together. That is great, in theory, but it proves It was so good that it inspired our two-year-old to be extremely difficult when you’re eating out of grandson, Keelan, to call out for another thick sliver of “doo-dum-buh” — cucumber. Styrofoam containers that are too small to contain the broth plus anything else of Keelan’s mom raved about one of the sides: cornbread. “The cornbread was deli- substance. Also, my food safety-conscious husband (personally, I have the stomach of cious—not an easy thing to do, to get flavor properly balanced with moistness. I hate a rabid dog) was concerned that the vegetables were in the same container as the raw crumbly cornbread,” Ryanne said. beef. A fair criticism, especially when the pho-eater is nine months pregnant. Her partner Luis — no stranger to foreign cuisines — complimented the fare as fresh Yes, I’m still pregnant and no, it’s not twins. and authentic. “The food is like what you could make at home, if you made that sort His Awesome Mess sandwich with a side of fries boded well for us. The smoked of food at home.” pork was tender and topped with a tangy coleslaw and spicy/sweet BBQ sauce. The Capital City BBQ offers an impressive array of sides — I counted 12 — that accom- fries were the star of the show, because they were hot, crispy and seasoned. If you’ve pany dinners and sandwiches. The family’s verdict was mixed on the baked beans. I followed the grievances of Mr. She Ate through the years, you’ll recall that an unsea- loved them because they contained bits of smoked pork. soned fry sends him into despair, but these are properly salted. He said they didn’t Less inspiring was the Mac and Cheese (a $1 up-charge for a side). Capital City BBQ even need ketchup, which I think is insane. needs to work on the creaminess and cheesiness and make the topping crumblier. On our next visit, we ordered the Sweet Chick and Steer Clear sandwiches to share. The grilled lemongrass chicken with rice noodles ($8.95) was the least inspiring item The Sweet Chick – smoked chicken topped with BBQ sauce, lettuce, tomato, and I tasted. It was packed with fresh flavors, but overall the taste lacked any wow factor. onion – was too sweet. The chicken didn’t have enough smoky flavor to stand up to Because my order was so large and was made a week earlier, the restaurant mistakenly the cloying sweetness of the BBQ sauce and there was no acidity to it. The Steer Clear forgot I had ordered Vietnamese egg rolls — $8.95 for six egg rolls with pork, shrimp, was much better – beef brisket was topped with a red-onion jam, smoked-Gouda carrots and green onions. I didn’t discover the omission until I got home. A pity. They cheese and bourbon-BBQ sauce. The onion jam was perfect and, since we Hoovered sounded good. this sandwich a few weeks ago, I’ve been making a quick apple-and-onion jam to Besides cooking savvy, Capital City BBQ brandishes marketing savvy. The names serve with pork chops. The combination of onion and the richness of the meat was out

See He Ate, Page 27 See She Ate, Page 27 City Pulse • December 20, 2017 www.lansingcitypulse.com 23

of Triple D’s episodes. (essentially a Vietnamese hoagie) to pho He ate The restaurant seized on the publicity She ate and egg rolls. There is also a display — who wouldn’t? When I dropped in for case full of desserts and we couldn’t my first visit, I noticed T-shirts hanging help but try a slice of chocolate cheese- from page 26 from a wall: “Guy Ate Here. Have you?” from page 26 cake. It wasn’t particularly chocolatey, of their sandwiches are whimsical in a On my second visit, I noticed a minimal- of this world. If you want that sand- so I had to follow it with some Christ- down-on-the-farm sort of way: Awesome ist drawing of a goateed Fieri lording wich (or anything else on the menu) mas cookies. Mess, Steer Clear, Barnyard, Moo Over over the scene. for lunch, you’d better call in early. Our I hope Capital City BBQ finds a better and Forgotten Thanksgiving are among Despite its Plain Jane looks, Capital orders each took at least 30 minutes to way to serve as many people as it aims the cleverly named offerings. City BBQ seems delighted with the no- complete, which was double the time to serve, or a way to streamline its pro- And not to let publicity go to waste, this tion that it’s here to help its patrons en- that we were given on the phone. Ser- cess. Until then, what it offers is unique place has played its 15 minutes of fame joy life… like a good friend having you vice is slow. and adds an interesting dynamic to the to the hilt. A few months ago, Guy Fieri, over for dinner. The adage “don’t judge Beyond that issue, the menu is exten- local food scene. the host of the Food Network’s “Diners, a book by its cover” truly applies. Open sive, with over 20 sandwich offerings, Drive-ins and Dives,” dropped by Capital the book, turn the page, expect the un- various salads and a Vietnamese section City BBQ and it was later featured in one expected. featuring everything from a Banh Mi Keith Buchele: Soup Spoon’s unconventional manager By DAVID WINKELSTERN sitting at a table for Christmas.” The interview that led to Keith Bu- Though he studied Asian languages, Bu- chele’s eventual position as Soup chele has always worked in restaurants. His Spoon manager was unconventional. humble beginnings as a teenager saw him “My interview process was unique,” Bu- washing dishes. Since then, he’s sharpened chele explained. “The owner and I had a his skills while travelling everywhere from five minute chat on the sidewalk.” Japan and India to New Orleans and Man- Meeting by chance in front of the Soup hattan. Spoon restaurant on Michigan Avenue, Buchele eventually returned to Michigan owner Nick Gavrilides made a quick deci- and began working in Grand Rapids for the sion. “He asked me what I was doing Fri- Gilmore Collection. This stint began with day,” Buchele said. “I showed up in my chef him working in the kitchen, but eventual- uniform.” ly he was tapped to work the front of the For six months Buchele was just a prep house. guy, until one weekend when Gravrilides Though this change initially frightened asked him to run the floor. Now, for the him, the experience prepared him for his past seven years, Buchele has been Soup current position at Soup Spoon, a role he Spoon’s evening manager, a feat he per- has “real passion for.” forms in, what he calls, “1960’s business ca- “There’s a lot of love here,” Buchele said. sual,” a look that includes: tie tacks, skinny “We love the people who come in.” ties, tweeds, wool pants and polished shoes. Buchele said he averages about seven As for the job description, Buchele likens hugs a night and knows about 75 percent of what he does to herding cats. the patrons’ first names. “I know their dogs’ “I’m a cat herder,” Buchele explains. “I and kids’ names,” Buchele added. “I like to try to get a bunch of people to do the same build relationships.” thing. I try to get a bunch of cats to go down So what does he do when he isn’t build- a mountain pass.” ing relationships? Buchele heightens his This “herd” includes 43 regular workers expertise on spirits and distilleries. in a 76 capacity restaurant that can serve “Benedictine,” Buchele begins. “It was up to 500 customers a night. made by Benedictine Monks who have Buchele said his experience working with been making it the same way with the same MON THURS FRI SAT recipe. This is holy in some way.” large groups began at Grand Valley Uni- 11 a.m.-12a.m. versity, where he majored in Japanese and If you’d like to contact Buchele, you’ll minored in Chinese. He had a group of 30 have to stop into Soup Spoon, as the dapper close friends, who all enjoyed going out for manager isn’t on social media. lavish meals. “I don’t do Twitter, I don’t do Facebook,” “Not a lot of kids handle large dinner Buchele added. “My dog, Thelonious Monk, parties,” Buchele said. “We had 35 people has a Facebook page. I don’t.”

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