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a newspaper for the rest of us www.lansingcitypulse.com 2 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • February 18, 2015 City Pulse • February 18, 2015 www.lansingcitypulse.com 3 4 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • February 18, 2015

VOL. 14 Feedback ISSUE 27

City Pulse should offer Vaccinations save lives (517) 371-5600 • Fax: (517) 999-6061 • 1905 E. Michigan Ave. • Lansing, MI 48912 • www.lansingcitypulse.com In the article on "Immunization conservative voice and viewpoints ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: (517) 999-6705 I cannot think of anything neater than Obligation," Ms. Skurnowicz stated: "Up PAGE CLASSIFIED AD INQUIRIES: (517) 999-5066 having your own business. It is your baby until 100 years ago, there were no vacci- or email [email protected] and you can do what you want as long as nations. How did civilization survive to 5 you don't break any laws. You do your best that point in time without having vaccina- PUBLISHER • Berl Schwartz

[email protected] • (517) 999-5061 to keep your customers happy and hope- tions?" ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER • Mickey Hirten fully you will earn a good living. What hap- Sure, civilization survived, but with the Profile: Old-school barber Duane Stoolmaker [email protected] • (517) 999-5064 pens if this business is a publication? Do premature loss of many individual mem- EDITOR • Belinda Thurston you still have the opportunity to do what bers. Go to any early cemetery and look at [email protected] • (517) 999-5065 you want? Or should there be a balance if the gravestones from the 19th and early PAGE ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR • Ty Forquer business owner only has one point of view? 20th centuries, and you will see how many [email protected] • (517) 999-5068 Please hear me out. I find your publica- children died. Sometimes, one sees mul- 12 PRODUCTION MANAGER • Angus McNair tion interesting and enjoy it when individu- tiple children from a single family who [email protected] • (517) 999-5066 als or organization do things that may not died close together, or multiple children CALENDAR EDITOR • Jonathan Griffith Capital City Brass Band prepares for national competition [email protected] • (517) 999-5069 be people’s best interest and you expose it. from one community who died within the STAFF WRITER • Lawrence Cosentino Most of your reporting is left (liberal/ same time period. This suggests a com- [email protected] • (517) 999-5063 progressive) leaning. municable disease that hit these families. ADVERTISING • Shelly Olson & Suzi Smith Pretty much all your interviews are with It was not unusual during previous centu- PAGE [email protected] • (517) 999-6705 folks on the Democratic party. I find this ries for just about every family to have lost [email protected] • (517) 999-6704 kind of reporting very unbalanced. This one or more children. Thankfully, that is a 13 Contributors: Andy Balaskovitz, Justin Bilicki, Daniel E. Bollman, Capital News Service, Bill would not be an issue if the City Pulse was rare occurrence today because of antibiot- Castanier, Mary C. Cusack, Michael Gerstein, Tom just an entertainment magazine. But you ics, vaccines and other scientific advances. Helma, Todd Heywood, Gabrielle Johnson, Terry have elected to address issues and candi- How many families would be willing to go Harry Belafonte drops the hammer in fiery speech at MSU Link, Andy McGlashen, Kyle Melinn, Mark Nixon, Shawn Parker, Stefanie Pohl, Dennis Preston, dates that generally have just one point of back to sacrificing even one of their chil- Allan I. Ross, Rich Tupica, Ute Von Der Heyden, view. Your columnists are also leaning very dren? COVER Paul Wozniak left . Parents who wish to study all the facts Delivery drivers: Elijah Burton, Dave Fisher, Tyler Ray, What I agree with is that this publication about vaccination and make informed ART Thomas Scott, Robert Wiche is owned by Berl Schwartz and he should decisions should not neglect the stark Interns: Crystal Gause, Ariel Rogers do what is in his best interests. However truth of history. lately there have been many questions on all “MERCURIAL” by ANGUS Mc NAIR media regarding pushing a particular agen- ­— Mary L. Kwas Editor & Publisher da or political party (MSNBC-Democrat, Lansing CITY PULSE THIS WEEK Berl Schwartz FOX-Republican). Shouldn't there be at on the State Rep. Mike Callton 7 p.m. Wednesdays least a half hearted try of another point of view? AIR Kyle Melinn of MIRS News How about a column from someone here Ari Adler, Special Projects Manager, Governor’s Office in Michigan who has a more conservative Have something to say about a local issue Susan Demas of Inside Michigan Politics or an item that appeared in our pages? agenda? Tom Watkins, the former State Joe DiSano of DiSano Strategies Superintendent of Michigan Public Schools Now you have two ways to sound off: used to write some very informative articles in the Lansing State Journal. Another indi- 1.) Write a letter to the editor. vidual that comes to mind is Tim Barron • E-mail: [email protected] from WLMI. He is right leaning and has • Snail mail: City Pulse, 1905 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, MI 48912 • Fax: (517) 371-5800 been known to give an opinion from time to time. 2.) Write a guest column: I think the public disserves political bal- Contact Berl Schwartz for more information: ance in their local publications. Is the City [email protected] or (517) 999-5061 Pulse willing to give it to them? (Please include your name, address and telephone number so we can reach you. Keep letters to 250 words or fewer. City Pulse reserves the — Phil Lange right to edit letters and columns.) Dewitt PUBLIC NOTICES CITY OF LANSING HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

The Lansing Historic District Commission will hold a public hearing on Monday, March 9, 2015, at 5:30 p.m., in the Planning & Neighborhood Development Department Conference Room, 316 N. Capitol Avenue, Lansing, Michigan. This hearing will be to consider HDC-1-15, 216 Huron St., Lansing, MI 48915, a request by Carol Skillings, owner of 216 Huron St., for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the renovation of the residence at that address, within the Darius B. Moon House Historic District.

The Historic District Commission’s review of this building permit is in accordance with Section 1220.07 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Lansing.

For more information about this case, please contact Bill Rieske, Asst. Planning Manager, at (517) 483-4066 during business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. M-F.

Bill Rieske, Secretary Lansing Historic District Commission

CP#15_032 City Pulse • February 18, 2015 www.lansingcitypulse.com 5 PULSE NEWS & OPINION

the state. Crenshaw says the bounced check was a simple oversight, Check and balance which he quickly remedied. Byrum tells officials Crenshaw filed for re-election to the Clerk wants criminal investigation over county Ingham County Board of Commissioners on April 15 of last commissioner campaign finance fees, bounced check year, and on April 29 was mailed detailed information on cam- OF THE WEEK paign finance reporting deadlines and responsibilities. Late campaign finance reports and a bounced check may “Mr Crenshaw then received numerous additional notifi- have Ingham County Commissioner Bryan Crenshaw facing a cations from my office regarding his accruing late filing fees,” criminal investigation and charges. Byrum wrote in her letters to officials. “On October 28, 2014, Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum, a Democrat, has Mr. Crenshaw was notified that the total amount had grown asked state officials to investigate whether Crenshaw, also a to $1,350.” Democrat, may have committed perjury when he signed his In order to take office, Crenshaw had to file all his reports campaign finance compliance affidavit and pay any fees and fines. Dec. 30, Crenshaw sought a pay- on Jan. 2. The requests for investigation ment plan from the county, something Byrum declined. On were made by letter on Jan. 20 to the Jan. 2, Crenshaw paid the $1,350 debt with the county, records Michigan State Police and the Attorney show, and immediately signed his affidavit and took his oath. General’s Public Integrity Unit. On Jan. 15 the check Crenshaw wrote was returned for non- “Something happened that doesn’t sufficient funds. pass the smell test,” Byrum said in an Crenshaw admits he failed to keep up on his campaign interview. “I am under the belief that the finance reporting requirements. He also says the returned committee was not in compliance at the check was the result of his own oversight. He opened his cam- time Commissioner Crenshaw signed paign committee account on Jan. 2. the document.” He says “family and friends” contributed $1,275 towards his For Bryum, the issue is the timing of Crenshaw debts, and he intended to transfer the remaining $75 to cover a check used to pay off campaign finance the balance of the debt to the new account for his committee at fees and fines. the MSU Federal Credit Union. “I believe that Commissioner Crenshaw waited too long to “I forgot to transfer the money from my account,” Crenshaw take care of his campaign finance obligations,” Byrum says. says. “I had thought I had done that, but apparently, I had not “I believe that Commissioner Crenshaw wrote a check he done that.” knew or should have known would not be valid. I believe that Crenshaw took a cashier’s check for $1,375 to the county on Commissioner Crenshaw should have known that, when we Jan. 27, a week after formal notice of the returned check was signed the affidavit of campaign finance compliance, he was sent to him by the county. He provided the additional $25 fee not in compliance.” for the returned check, meaning he loaned his campaign com- The document in question is an affidavit saying that the mittee $100. Property: 734 W. Grand River Ave., Okemos campaign committees they operated were fully compliant with As for why he failed to file his required reports, or request Owner: Lansing Mobile Homes LTD PTS, the law, and any fines or fees had been paid. The affidavit is a waiver — committees and candidates that expect to raise or Southfield signed under the penalty of perjury — a five-year felony in Assessed value: $253,000 Michigan — and are required for all elected office holders in See Crenshaw, Page 6

conversations about recent news, family and the Spartans. The recently improved crosswalk in front of Arkie’s is a classic American barbershop, where everyone this building seems slightly absurd along this busy Being in Lansing chats like old friends and enjoys the pleasure of a good haircut, stretch of Grand River. However, if this building from a good barber. was connected with its neighbors more effectively, Duane Stoolmaker, barber of the greats Duane Stoolmaker turned 80 this month. He has been a it could anchor a nascent commercial cluster, par- I studied finance at Michigan State University and took fixture at Arkie’s in Meridian Township since 1972. His craft ticularly if the limited bus service were increased a job on Wall Street with Wells Fargo Securities Investment is barber, storyteller and conversationalist. He has cut hair for along this route. Banking. I worked two years of 80+ hour weeks out in the “big the likes of MSU coaches Biggie Munn, George Perles, Gus Although most of the building’s character has city” and decided perhaps it wasn’t for me. Each time I would Ganakas and even former MSU President M. Peter McPherson. been removed or covered up, it exhibits vaguely visit campus, I had a hard time returning to NYC. I missed the Arkie’s is a classic American barbershop, where everyone Art Moderne elements. The industrial concrete area, the people, and MSU. It was summer 2013, when I finally chats like old friends and enjoys the pleasure of a good haircut, block exterior is softened by the use of rounded came home. from a good barber. corner blocks. An improved entry would feature Upon returning to the area, I established a financial advi- a covered awning that echoes the existing hori- sory/insurance business. I needed a new barber, dry cleaner, etc. Getting his sea legs zontal string course bands. Restored windows, It was nearly a whole year before I took my father’s suggestion Stoolmaker graduated from Hill-McCloy High School in featuring newly composed arrangements on the and headed to Arkie’s to get a haircut. Why had I been so stub- Montrose in 1952, at the age of 17. Once he received his barber upper level, might employ glass block units for born? After one cut from Duane Stoolmaker, I realized that I license, at age 18, Stoolmaker enlisted in the Navy. privacy. had found my barber. Needless to say, I am not planning on Three months after enlisting the Korean War ended and finding a different barbershop any time soon. Stoolmaker was back stateside cutting hair. — Daniel E. Bollman, AIA Let me introduce you to Duane Stoolmaker: He went to work for a shop on the west side of Lansing at the Across Grand River Avenue in the shadow of the new Whole corner of Saginaw Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard Foods under construction is a throwback to a simpler time. (then, Logan) for 20 years until the owner died. “Eyesore of the Week” is our look at some of the seedier The scent of heated shaving cream and aftershave waft in In 1956, Stoolmaker opened the Spartan Barbershop, next properties in Lansing. It rotates each week with Eye Candy of the Week. If you have a suggestion, please e-mail eye@lan- Arkie’s Barbershop. The leather chairs and wood cabinetry date singcitypulse.com or call Belinda Thurston at 999-5065. to the 70s. Golden Oldies are just barely audible over spirited See Stoolmaker, Page 6 6 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • February 18, 2015

Ariel Rogers/City Pulse white. Stoolmaker He says he’s rarely missed a Spartan Duane home football game. Stoolmaker even made Stoolmaker, from page 5 the trip to Pasadena last year to watch the owner of Spartans win the Rose Bowl. Arkie's door to the Harrison Roadhouse and across The walls of the barbershop are covered Barbershop, the street from Brody Hall. It was a loca- with Spartan memorabilia, posters, news- cuts the tion that seemed filled with potential. Brody paper clippings and signed photos of MSU hair of Dale Hall, at the time, was an all-male dorm that faculty and current and former coaches. Bartlett, 82, of housed nearly 3,600 students. He still sees George Perles and Ganakas, East Lansing. Over the next 16 years, Duane built up a even as recently as last week. loyal client base and followed the changing “I cut George Perles’s hair in the 50s when hairstyles from “flat-tops” to “Princetons” to he played football here and he still comes in the longer, feathered hairstyles of the 1970s. to this day,” Stoolmaker said. “I don’t get many surprises,” Stoolmaker Perles must really like the quality of the said when it comes to styles. cut, I said. By 1972, Brody Hall had gone co-ed and “Or maybe I’ve just got him fooled after parking got tight around his barbershop. all these years,” Stoolmaker replied with a He said he always had to finish one side of All about attitude Stoolmaker partnered with a friend to cre- laugh. his head quickly before he nodded off to After 60 years working the chair, ate Arkie’s. He recalls the barber sessions not but the sleep. Stoolmaker is often asked when he will hang cut but by the stories. The affection and affinity go both ways. up his shears. Spartan stamped In recalling McPherson, he said the man “I got very attached to the place and to “This is how I am thinking about retire- Stoolmaker definitely bleeds green and was a “workaholic who lived on cat-naps.” him and his background,” said Ganakas. “ ment … sorta shop ‘til you drop, if you get I’m older, but we have a lot in common … what I mean. … My son just told me about especially when it comes to MSU athletics.” two guys, a 98-year-old barber in Florida Ganakas said Stoolmaker is upbeat and and a 100-year-old barber in Pennsylvania. positive. “He’s not just the person who I’m thinking I may want to break the record. grooms my hair, but a person I can consider But I am not sure what my wife thinks of a friend.” that idea.” Perles said he was recommended to Stoolmaker considers his livelihood one Arkie’s by some friends years ago and was person at a time. Newsmakers hooked. Going in for a cut is more than “I get paid to talk to my friends all day. It’s THIS WEEK: about the cut. It’s conversation time with a not really work to me,” he said. friend. Stoolmaker’s got energy to spare. HOSTED BY BERL SCHWARTZ “Besides being a great barber, Duane real- “A person’s altitude is determined more BWL ly knows a lot about a lot of different things,” by their attitude than their aptitude,”he said. Perles said. “He’s been around so long, he’s been able to learn a lot from his customers. — By Andrew Gauthier He really listens to what people have to say. Most of his customers have been going to him for many, many years, just like I have.”

cials. She says since taking office in 2012 she Crenshaw has referred five campaign committees to state officials, and seven campaigns to the from page 5 county treasurer for collection of past due fees and fines. Three of the referrals to state spend less than $1000 can be exempted officials resulted in warning letters from the from reporting requirements — because Secretary of State’s Election Bureau. None DAVID HOLLISTER “2014 was a hard year for me.” of the referrals resulted in criminal prosecu- FORMER MAYOR He cites the unexpected death of a rela- tion for those involved. tive and business issues as examples of how Collecting past due fees and fines has his attention was diverted. been worse, she says. “It was really tough on me. I failed to “I believe only one or two of the commit- do what I needed to do campaignwise,” tees that have been referred to the coun- Crenshaw said. “It was my error for not ty treasurer have made payments to the checking with the clerk.” County,” she said. JOE GRAVES JR. Crenshaw, 40, was appointed to the board For campaign finance expert Rich FORMER BWL COMMISSIONER of commissioners in August 2013 to fill a Robinson, executive director of the Michigan vacancy created when former Commissioner Campaign Finance Network, Byrum’s Deb DeLeon resigned to accept a job out of actions are good for democracy. the area. He takes home about $13,000 a “I understand that Ms. Byrum has a strict year for his post as a commissioner. He is law and order approach to campaign report- otherwise unemployed. ing — I think that's good, as long as it’s pur- When Crenshaw was appointed, he sued impartially,” Robinson said in an email MY18TV! served as the director of the Eaton Rapids to City Pulse. “That said, this whole sequence 10 A.M. EVERY SATURDAY Senior Center, a nonprofit agency. He was of events isn't a great recommendation for a appointed to the Lansing School Board to fill county commissioner.” a vacancy in 1999, but chose not to stand for election for that seat. He also served in the — By Todd Heywood COMCAST CHANNEL 16 LANSING Granholm administration in different roles. Byrum says Crenshaw is not the first 7:30 P.M. EVERY FRIDAY politician she has referred to the state offi- City Pulse • February 18, 2015 www.lansingcitypulse.com 7

although many won't since their payroll The project was funded in part by a Open government costs are fixed. But it does limit what they BRIEF $300,000 Michigan Natural Resources can charge. East Lansing playground Trust Fund grant as well as sponsorships Leveling the price of And the law also limits what public and community contributions. wins park design award the freedom of information bodies can charge for outside expertise. Some governmental bodies may not have East Lansing’s Playground in the Park ...and Briefer Starting this summer, most public bod- the staff to handle a FOIA request and are “Re-Imagined” project at Patriarch Park has The $54 billion state budget proposed ies in Michigan will be somewhat more forced to contract for lawyers or accoun- won an outstanding park design award from by Gov. Rick Snyder includes hundreds of accountable, a bit more transparent, in tants or other professionals. the Michigan Recreation & Park Association. million of dollars in spending cuts, would use allowing people to discover what they do Right now this can result in steep “The project was the result of a great part- the School Aid Fund to support community and how they do it. charges — hundreds of dollars an hour. nership between the City of East Lansing colleges, add $75 per-pupil for K-12 school The so-called Freedom of Information But starting in July, these contract wages and the Rotary Club of East Lansing and it funding, and would increase the Health Act — so-called because it’s studded with will be limited to six times the state mini- could not have happened without the sup- Insurance Claims Assessment, essentially a exceptions and doesn't apply to the leg- mum hourly wage, or $48.90. The public port of the community,” said Tim McCaffrey, tax increase. ... Meridian Township named islature or courts — was modified during body must tell you who it hires, it cannot director of parks, recreation and arts in East Mike Froh to serve a one-year term as a the just-ended legislative pay fringe benefits and can't charge over- Lansing. non-voting member of the Lansing Board session to give people time for the contract employee unless you The Playground in the Park of Water & Light board of commission- a bit more leverage to agree to it. “Re-Imagined” project is completely com- ers, joining East Lansing's nominee, Robert press government for All labor charges must be computed in munity driven — designed, built and fund- Nelson. ...Radio Shack, which has filed for information. 15-minute intervals and rounded down. If ed. More than 200 volunteers assembled the bankruptcy, will close three Lansing-area The changes are a request takes 14 minutes, there should new 1.2-acre playground during a three-day stores. ...Thirty people have applied for the designed to curb abu- be no labor charge. Also, a public body build last summer. The playground is eco- appointment to fill the Lansing City Council sive fees and encourage cannot charge for redacting a document friendly and is fully accessible. position vacated by Derrick Quinney. prompt compliance that already has been redacted. with the law, accord- More important, the law says that a PUBLIC NOTICES MICKEY HIRTEN ing to a analysis by public body may not charge for a FIOA Butzel Long, the First request unless it entails an unreasonably NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING EAST LANSING PLANNING COMMISSION Amendment attorneys for the Michigan high cost and that it must identify the Press Association. And while the law firm's unreasonably high cost. Notice is hereby given of the following public hearing to be held by the East Lansing Planning FOIA highlights were designed for the Commission on Wednesday, March 11, 2015 at 7:00 p.m., in the 54-B District Court, Courtroom 2, There are also new penalties for failing 101 Linden Street, East Lansing: journalists, it's important to remember to comply with FIOA. If a dispute goes to that FOIA isn't just a press issue. court — the Court of Claims if the state A public hearing will be held for the purpose of reviewing the proposed 2015-2021 Gov. Rick Snyder put it this way: “The is involved and Circuit Court for other Capital Improvements Program. reforms make clear that we in government disputes — and a public body is found to Call (517) 319-6930, the Department of Planning, Building and Development, East Lansing City are working on behalf of our residents, have “arbitrarily or capriciously” refused Hall, 410 Abbot Road, East Lansing, for additional information. All interested persons will be given who should not be discouraged from or delayed disclosing information, the an opportunity to be heard. These matters will be on the agenda for the next Planning Commission meeting after the public hearing is held, at which time the Commission may vote on them. The learning about how that government is court shall order it to pay $1,000 to the Planning Commission's recommendations are then placed on the agenda of the next City Council serving them.” Michigan State Treasury and $1,000 to meeting. The City Council will make the final decision on these applications. What's changed with FOIA is the the requester. If the public body “will- The City of East Lansing will provide reasonable auxiliary aids and services, such as interpreters ground rules. Public bodies — local gov- fully and intentionally'' fails to comply for the hearing impaired and audio tapes of printed materials being considered at the meeting, to ernment, school boards, state agencies with FOIA, a more serious action, the individuals with disabilities upon request received by the City seven (7) calendar days prior to the and authorities — must summarize their court shall raise the fine to the state by a 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- FOIA policies, post them on a website if minimum of $2,500 and nor more than 649-3777. they have one, and provide a copy of, or $7,500. link to, the policy to those filing a FOIA This is real money and ought to help Marie E. Wicks City Clerk request. Starting July 1 when the revised governments focus on treating FOIA law takes effect, public bodies must tell requests professionally. CP#15_033 you if a document is available at no charge The new law does give public bodies ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS on a website before they can charge to fill some relief from gadflies who barrage a request. them with frivolous and wasteful requests. 2015 MISCELLANEOUS CONCRETE PROJECT They must establish a standard fee If the fees to fill a FOIA request are likely CITY OF EAST LANSING itemization form. What public bodies to exceed $50, it is normal to require a 410 ABBOT ROAD charge and how they establish costs, has 50 percent deposit. But starting in July, EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN 48823 been an ongoing issue with FOIA. The the public body can require a 100 percent revised law prevents what had been arbi- deposit for people who failed to pay for Sealed proposals will be received by the City of East Lansing at the Office of the Director of Public trary and at times deliberately high fees their last request. Works, up to 11:00 A. M., Monday, March 16, 2015, at which time and place proposals will be publicly demanded by public bodies to discourage The law also places the onus on the opened and read for the furnishing of materials, labor and equipment for an unspecified quantity of miscellaneous concrete work in the City of East Lansing. Proposals may either be mailed to the inquiries. individual to ensure that the public body Director of Public Works at 410 Abbot Road, East Lansing, Michigan 48823 or hand delivered to the Revisions to the law will require pub- actually receives a FOIA. There are penal- Office of the Director of Public Works located at 1800 E. State Road, East Lansing, Michigan. lic bodies to fully itemize all of the costs ties for failing to comply in a timely man- The Contract Documents, including Specifications, Plans and Bidding Forms may be obtained at the that it factors into its FOIA fee and there ner, and the clock starts with receipt. But Director of Public Works' Office, located at 1800 E. State Road, East Lansing, Michigan, by paying a are limits on how they can compute their the Legislature in modifying FOIA rec- Twenty-Five Dollar ($25.00) non-refundable preparation fee. charges. ognized that may requests are filed using The City will apply its Local Purchasing Preference Policy, Policy Resolution 2009-3, in making the Copying fees must reflects real costs. email and that sometimes these emails are award of this contract. Governments can't charge more than 10 treated as junk mail or spam and never cents per sheet for paper and they must seen by the public body. The City of East Lansing reserves the right to reject any or all proposals, to waive defects in proposals, copy on both sides. Labor charges are The point is, if you send a FOIA request and to make the award in its own best interest. pegged to the hourly wage of the lowest- make sure to follow up with a phone call, paid employee capable of searching, locat- a letter or in some way inform the public CITY OF EAST LANSING ing and examining documents, whether or body so that it is aware and it must answer By: Marie Wicks not the work is done at that level. within five days. Remember, FOIA is a City Clerk This should encourage public bodies to two-way conversation. You will be louder minimize the cost of complying with FOIA in the future, but make sure that it's heard. CP#15_031 8 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • February 18, 2015

state or federal agencies inspected. That 2005 response was well within cleanup recommendations provided by county health officials in March 2014. And that difference is shown in the costs that added up for this spill. As a result of the 2013 spill, and the delay in reporting, the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health WASTED EFFORTS Administration cited the facility for five serious violations of workplace safety rules. The city was cited for failing to have Did East Lansing jeopardize employee and public health in improper mercury cleanup? hazard communications and emergency response plans, failure to inform employees of asbestos, to provide required By TODD HEYWOOD facility include: “tremors; emotional changes (e.g., mood asbestos awareness trainings, and to keep asbestos from sur- It began when a pressure gauge in the Waste Water swings, irritability, nervousness, excessive shyness); insom- faces in the facility. Treatment Plant in East Lansing broke the day after nia; neuromuscular changes (such as weakness, muscle MIOSHA levied an original fine of $11,000 for the viola- Thanksgiving 2013. atrophy, twitching); headaches; disturbances in sensations; tions, but reduced that to $4,400 in a settlement agreement Somewhere between one and half and three pounds of changes in nerve responses; performance deficits on tests of signed in August. the mercury — a toxic heavy metal — spilled onto the facil- cognitive function. At higher exposures there may be kidney Beyond the fines, the city also racked up significant bills ity floors. effects, respiratory failure and death.” cleaning up asbestos and mercury. The documents show the A maintenance supervisor used shop vacuums to clean Health department officials also packaged the contami- city paid contractor HBC $7,570 to remove asbestos from up the spilled liquid metal. According to documents released nated vacuums. the tunnels in the facility, something MIOSHA cited the city by the city of East Lansing, he poured the collected mercury The city had wanted to keep the sink where the mercury for. down a drain located in a sink in the facility’s shop. He didn’t had been disposed. But outside contractor testing found it The city paid contractor Environmental Quality report the spill to supervisors. was heavily contaminated. As a result, the 200-pound sink $3,943.76 for mercury abatement — by removing and prop- According to records released by the city, the toxic spill and drain were removed and replaced. erly disposing of the vacuums and the sink. The city paid was handled in an unsafe manner and possibly resulted in Ariel Rogers/City Pulse contamination outside the plant. Failing to report a toxic release is a violation of state and federal law, as well. A mercury The city was ultimately fined thousands of dollars by spill at the state safety regulators and cited for over 15 violations of state East Lansing environmental laws and regulations. And last month, eight Wastewater current and one former employee of the facility filed a state Treatment lawsuit against the city of East Lansing alleging the munici- Plant and pality put their health in jeopardy by their failure to address cleanup the mercury spill and ongoing issues with asbestos. efforts are One activist says the city needs to be transparent about being called the spill and the cleanup. unsafe in “It’s very troubling the allegations were not disclosed ful- a lawsuit ly,” said Walt Sorg, president of the board of directors of the filed by Mid-Michigan Environmental Action Council. employees. All the internal communications, government reports, citations and bills were obtained through the Freedom of Information Act by citizen journalists at EastLansingInfo. org. They were also first to report on the lawsuit. City Pulse obtained the documents from the city of East Lansing as well as from the Ingham County Health Department last week. Documents show facility staff attempted to clean up the remaining mercury. During that time, the contamination was spread to other parts of the facility, as well as to the Hannah Community Center — although the public would not be told of the Hannah exposure for nearly seven months. Finally, on March 20, 2014 — nearly four months after Health officials worked with city employees to properly another contractor, FiberTec, $725 for mercury testing; and the incident — facility staff and union officials brought the contain the contamination. They placed the exposed items $900 to ASHA for providing two three-hour asbestos train- spill to the attention of city of East Lansing administrators. — two vacuums and the manometer — in trash cans sealed ings. State and local government mobilized staff to investigate with plastic. A dumpster, where one of the vacuums had The Lansing State Journal reported the former mainte- and respond. been stored was checked and found to contain no contami- nance supervisor, Wayne Beede, 48, was given a $26,450 nation. Based on the records released from the city, the con- separation agreement on Nov. 4. Under the agreement, he The initial report and response taminated material was stored in an unlocked room at the would not seek legal action against the city, and was barred According to the documents, the maintenance supervisor facility. to discuss any details of the separation. used two shop vacuums available in the shop of the Waste The total cost to the city — not including medical testing Water Treatment Plant to vacuum up the mercury. Lessons unlearned of employees for mercury exposure and staff time develop- He then dumped the mercury down a sink in the facility. The incident in 2013 stands in stark contrast to an inci- ing new policies — was $44,038.76. While other employees were aware of the incident and the dent in March 2005 at the facility. At that time, less than a cleanup, they didn’t report anything until March. pound of mercury was spilled. Within 24 hours, employees When the Ingham County Health Department was called contacted the Ingham County Health Department Bureau Hannah Community Center in, officials arrived with a specially designed mercury clean- of Environmental Health. County officials responded, iden- The city had paid its fines to MIOSHA. The cleanup was up vacuum and they tested the air. They determined there tified mercury beads in a storage room, and took mercury complete. Contaminated items from the facility had been was contamination, but not enough to pose a health threat vapor readings. They cleared the building for occupancy and disposed of and citations from the Michigan Department of to employees. Nonetheless, employees were encouraged to left the vacuum for continued cleanup needs at the facil- Environmental Quality were all abated. get tested for mercury — blood tests which showed there ity. Employees of the Waste Water Treatment Plant were Then on Oct. 9 Paul Stokes, the recently appointed plant were no toxic levels of mercury in any of the tested employ- trained on how to use the mercury vacuum, as well as using superintendent, notified East Lansing administrators that ees. personal protection equipment so they could conduct the he had been informed by two employees that a vacuum The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says the cleanup over the course of a “couple of days.” health effects of exposure the type of mercury spilled at the The event did not require reporting to the state, and no See Cleanup, Page 9 City Pulse • February 18, 2015 www.lansingcitypulse.com 9

duct testing] as any mercury vapors would employee over mercury spill and potential Cleanup be gone. Even if small droplets were actually Timeline asbestos exposures. discharged, they would probably be evapo- April 16: DEQ issues 15 citations over the from page 8 rated by now.” 2013 incident. Where the vacuum and its attachments Nov. 22: Gauge containing mercury breaks May 1: George Lahanas, city manager, hose attachment used during the improper were used between the Nov. 22 incident and at wastewater treatment plant. The spill is updates city council in an email. Lahanas mercury cleanup had been detached from its removal by county officials on March 20, cleaned up with a shop vacuum. notes the mercury testing results on employ- the contaminated vacuum and taken to the 2014, is unknown. ees came back “within normal levels.” He Hannah Community Center for use. Shelli Neumann, director of human 2014 added, “We are very pleased that while we “I bring this to your attention since there resources for East Lansing, indicates in an March 18: A contaminated vacuum and clearly understand that the mercury was seems to be continuing employee contact email that the employee who used the con- hose is used at the Hannah Community not properly addressed when it occurred, it with MiOSHA regarding asbestos issues,” taminated vacuum says he informed leader- Center. appears that our employees suffered no ill Stokes wrote in an email to Lahanas and ship of the situation on March 20, while the March 20: City management is made aware effects.” others. “Would not be surprised the next health department was investigating. But of the mercury spill. Ingham County Health July 9: MIOSHA issues multiple violations visit from MiOSHA involves mercury too.” Todd Sneathen, then the director of public Department called, and comes to site. of workplace safety rules and laws. Initial There, four heater units were “blown out,” works, told officials he did not recall being March 25: Health department returns to fines were $11,000. a term of art to reference removal of dust notified, and contemporary documents do remove additional mercury. Oct. 9: Treatment plant staff notify city offi- and debris. This happened on March 18, not show such a report was made. March 25: Michigan Department of cials of Hannah Community Center exposure. 2014, two days before the November inci- City Councilwoman Ruth Beier received Environmental Quality Office of Waste Oct. 13: Ingham County Health Department dent was reported to authorities. an email from Lahanas and city officials Oct. Management and Radiological Protection inspects Hannah Community Center Hannah is owned and operated by the 16 answering questions she had posed. conducts inspection of plant. Oct. 16: City of East Lansing posts letter city of East Lansing. According to the city “The heating coils are located next to March 26: Michigan Occupational Safety to Hannah Community Center visitors and website, the facility plays hosts to a variety of exits to the building and are used as ‘space and Health Administration begins investi- employees notifying them of the potential activities including meetings, classes, physi- heaters’ to very specific small areas,” a memo gation responding to a complaint filed by an mercury exposure. cal fitness programming, and is home to the attached to the email reads. “The air does All-Of-Us-Express Children's Theatre. not travel through the heating/cooling sys- The following day, the Ingham County tem that runs through the entire Hannah building. If there were at any times higher mercury levels between March and October, they would have been isolated to the smaller, limited areas directly by the four heating coils.” And following the inspection and testing of Hannah Community Center by the health depart- ment, Neumann emailed Lahanas, who forwarded that email to City Council. “It should be noted that there is no way of predicting or calculating what the mer- cury vapor levels were at the time of the event in March 2014,” Neumann wrote. Public safety is a con- cern, according to Sorg. “There’s a reason for all these rules,” Sorg said. “It needs to be dealt with firm- Health Department was contacted about ly. I’m not ready to hang anybody, yet.” the potential mercury exposure. Inspectors conducted tests for mercury Oct. 13. The lawsuit Three days later, the city posted a letter The mercury spill and subsequent from Lahanas to city residents and employ- investigations by various government ees at Hannah Community Center. agencies unfolded in the midst of a con- “Last week it was brought to our attention troversy between Waste Water Treatment that a hose from a shop vacuum that may Plant employees and the city over asbestos, have contained a small amount of mercury according to a lawsuit filed in district court was used to clean four (4) fan coil units at last month on behalf of current and former the Hannah Community Center in March,” employees. the letter read. According to the lawsuit, the city “inten- “The results of the tests indicate that tionally and with malice” exposed workers to mercury vapor levels are well below the asbestos and mercury. standards allowed in a commercial build- Lahanas responded with this statement: ing,” the letter noted. "I have assigned staff and our attorney to What the letter didn’t say, however, was review all of the information provided in the that Stokes didn’t think testing was neces- recent lawsuit filed regarding the mercury sary or that it would reveal anything. and asbestos at the Waste Water Treatment In his Oct. 9 e-mail, Stokes wrote, “At this point in time it would be fruitless [to con- See Cleanup, Page 10 10 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • February 18, 2015

of safety and to then take the steps to cor- Cleanup rect any areas indicated by regulatory agen- cies. Our goal is to provide the safest work- from page 9 place possible, and we continually strive to CAPITAL AREA LOCAL FIRST improve the safety of the work environment Plant. That review has just begun and it for our employees." will be several weeks until we have a more City Councilwoman Kathleen Boyle was complete picture of all of the issues raised. the only Council member to respond to In terms of complaints and violations from questions submitted over the weekend. GUEST SPEAKER: MIOSHA, we see these as an opportunity “I will not respond to your inquiries to find out where we can improve in terms because of pending litigation,” she wrote. LUNCH & CHRIS HOLMAN “HOW TO SUCCEED IN SMALL BUSINESS” $10 per person LEARN $5 per person with a current CALF NOON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4 • TRIPPERS IN FRANDOR membership Tickets may be purchased at (Please renew your capitalarealocalfirst.com membership)

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ARTS & CULTURE ART BOOKS FILM MUSIC THEATER

ist Coleman Hawkins' clas- No chair throwing sic recording of "Body and Soul." Top state jazzmen Tim Froncek, Vincent "Once you heard Coleman, the saxophone Bowens spend a swinging week at MSU was it," he said. Froncek got the bug See Brass, Page 12 By LAWRENCE COSENTINO when he saw Ringo Starr A lot of people have gotten their idea of what goes on in flipping his sticks (and a jazz class from that chair-throwing jerk of an instructor, hair) with the Beatles on Terry Fletcher, in the Oscar-nominated film "Whiplash." "The Ed Sullivan Show." The two latest guest artists at MSU's Jazz Studies pro- He skipped career day gram, drummer Tim Froncek and saxophonist Vincent in high school. "I never Bowens, are cut from finer cloth. thought of doing anything "I don't discourage any player," Bowens said. "Everybody else, ever," he said. "I just has something to say." knew I was going to play Froncek and Bowens, two of the state's top jazz musi- the drums." cians, will work with MSU students Soon after, he fell in love MSU Jazz Octets all week, tour with them to several with the big band sound of with guest artists schools around the state and cap Duke Ellington and Count Vincent Bowens, the week with a concert Friday. Basie. Energetic drum- saxophone; and Tim Their joint residency marks the mers Gene Krupa and Froncek, drums kickoff of a new Michigan Icons Buddy Rich (a notorious Lawrence Cosentino/City Pulse 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20 series at MSU and a geographi- jazz jerk) got him hooked $10/$8 seniors/FREE for cal pincer movement by Rodney on the physicality and Vincent Bowens (left) and Tim Froncek (right) perform for MSU jazz studies students. students Rodney Whitaker (back) accompanies on bass. Cook Recital Hall Whitaker, director of jazz studies. coordination the drum Music Building Bowens is a respected veteran of kit demands. "It involves 333 W. Circle Drive, East Lansing the Detroit scene; Muskegon-born the whole body," Froncek said. "You're totally into it, and if with Detroit pianist Kenn Cox in the late 1980s. (517) 353-5340, music.msu. Froncek is a staple of the West you're doing it right, the audience won't sit still either." "We played real good," Bowens said. "We went all over edu Coast school (think of Traverse Being a big fish in the small town of Muskegon helped Mexico. It was a real nice situation." City, not San Francisco) and a jazz Froncek. When the Miss Michigan pageant, the circus or A week-long residency and tour is the ideal way to make instructor at Grand Valley State University. some other show came to town, he was the go-to drummer. a difference with students, Froncek said. Both musicians belie the popular image of controlling His big break was a steady gig with Woody Herman's big "Playing with them is where the learning takes place," tyrants like the fictional Fletcher. band (the fabled Thundering Herd) in 1982. Froncek said. "I can give them a lecture all day. When you're "Music is a spirit," Bowens said. "Feeling and spirit. If you How do you impress Woody Herman when you're fresh out on the road, you see how they react to the audience and stifle it by trying to control it, you don't get the true essence out of high school? The answer will not be lost on MSU stu- to the other musicians." of the person you're dealing with." dents this week. Bowens was amazed at what he heard at MSU. "I try not to control the music, but to fit in," Froncek said. "By being a professional, showing up and doing the best I "Man, those guys are playing," he said. That's good news "I might have to lead sometimes. But you have to know when can — that impressed him," Froncek said for a humble teacher who thinks of learning as a two-way not to be forceful." Bowens and Froncek visited MSU last week for a quick street. Froncek tells his students that drummers have to be ready introduction to the students. Bowens has fond memories of "I'm going to learn from them, definitely," he said. "I'm for anything, including reading minds. Bandleader Hank whisking 20-year-old Whitaker along on a tour of Mexico still learning all the time. Nobody knows it all." Levy once told Froncek to play a beat "like a three-legged dog" at a nerve-wracking 1990s gig. (Levy was a specialist in LEFT: Allison odd meters who composed off-kilter charts for jazz legends Castiglione, like Stan Kenton and Don Ellis.) intern at Mission: delectable "Sometimes people don't know how to write it out, or Old Town even explain it," Froncek said. "You have to learn to interpret Hearty souls with sweet tooths Commercial braved the harsh cold to get their hands for people who don't know any musical terms." Association, More than 30 years ago, at Detroit's fabled jazz hothouse, on delicious treats at this year’s Old passes out Town Chocolate Walk. Participants went Metro Arts Complex, Bowens enjoyed the kind of mentor- boxes to from business to business on a scav- ship he'll provide at MSU this week. Chocolate Walk enger hunt to collect chocolates with One of Bowens' favorite memories was meeting dynamic attendees. an end goal of filling their boxes with drummer Roy Brooks in 1972, when Brooks was playing sweets. Lamb’s Gate Antiques passed with jazz icon Charles Mingus. Brooks even brought Mingus out buckeyes and Cravings Popcorn to sit in with the students at the complex. handed out chocolate-drizzled caramel "It was a beautiful thing," Bowens said. "You're looking popcorn. According to David Gregware, at jazz royalty. Herbie [Hancock], Freddie [Hubbard], who- chairman of the Old Town promotions ever was in town would come in and play with us." RIGHT: Lamb’s Gate committee and developer of the Choco- It sounds like a lot of pressure for a young student, but Antiques handed out late Walk, 240 boxes were sold for this Bowens basked in the generosity and patience of the elders buckeyes to cocoa year’s event . and passes it forward whenever he can. craving participants. — ARIEL ROGERS "The way I was taught is, everything you try is good," he All photos by Ariel Rogers said. "I wouldn't try to discourage any way or form." While still a youngster, Bowens fell in love with saxophon- 12 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • February 18, 2015

cific set of instruments and number of play- Much of the band would normally be read- ciation's website, more than 30 bands have ers. The instrumentation is almost entirely ing bass clef. signed up for this year’s contest. Capital City Kickin' brass made up of conical-bore brass instruments. “It drives that tuba players crazy,” says Alt. Brass Band has performed well in recent Capital City Brass Band prepares “We’re really getting into the weeds here,” Capital City Brass Band’s Saturday per- years. In 2011 the band was named 3rd divi- says Alt, as we begin to discuss what the formance is a preview of their upcoming sion champions and in 2014 it was awarded for its upcoming competition term “conical bore” means. appearance at the North American Brass 2nd place in the 2nd division. In a cylindrical-bore instrument, French Band Association Championships March 13 The ensemble is performing under the By TY FORQUER Horn or trumpet, for example, the piping and 14. This annual competition pits bands direction of Ken Kroesche, interim music When you hear the term “brass band,” maintains a constant diameter until director. Kroesche served as the group’s your mind may take you to the streets of the bell, where it flares out. Conical musical director from 2007 to 2011, but New Orleans and the clamor of Bourbon bore instruments, such as cornet or resigned when he was offered a job at Street. Many people are unaware, however, euphonium, feature an increasing Oakland University. The 52-year-old there is an entirely different style of brass diameter throughout the piping. Rochester Hills resident agreed to return band, rooted in centuries of British history. This subtle difference in design sig- this year to help the group prepare for the This unique style will be on display Saturday nificantly changes the tone color of competition. when the 40 members of Lansing’s own the instruments. Consider the warm, For Kroesche, the competition drives Capital City Brass Band take the stage. mellow sound of Chuck Mangione’s brass bands to a higher level of playing. “The sound is really like nothing else,” conical-bore flugelhorn versus the “These are community groups that are says band member Daniel Alt. “It’s a homog- direct, biting tone of Miles Davis’ trying to play at their very best,” he says. enous sound, it really cylindrical-bore trumpet. “The competition definitely gives them an Capital City blends from top to A classically trained French Horn extra push.” Brass Band bottom.” player, Alt picked up the less-com- Kroesche finds that new audience mem- Competition Preview Alt, 40, has been mon E-flat tenor horn to play in bers are often surprised by the versatility of Concert Ty Forquer/City Pulse 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21 a member of Capital brass band. the band. FREE City Brass Band since “It looks like a euphonium that Tracy Sonneborn (left) and Dennis Hooper rehearse “They’re impressed by the sound, but Grand Ledge High School with the Capital City Brass Band. Auditorium 2007, and has been has been left in the dryer a little too they are also surprised at the difficulty of the 820 Spring St, Grand playing in British- long,” he jokes. music we perform,” he says. “There are a lot Ledge capitalcitybrassband.com style brass bands for There are some other instru- of intricate parts. People are also impressed, 16 years. The British mental oddities in the band, including a from all over the nation against each other not just by the loudness, but also at how style is a tradition tiny soprano cornet and two sizes of tuba. in three divisions. softly the group can play.” that dates back to the early 1800s. The standard instrumentation also includes “Each division has a test piece that every While the group is based in Lansing, it “This style of brass band comes out of trombones — the only cylindrical-bore group must play,” explains Alt. “Each band has looked to other communities in the area the British labor movement,” Alt explains. instruments allowed in the band — and two looks at the test pieces and picks a division to fill out their performance calendar. “These would be bands made up of workers to four percussionists. based on what they think they can handle.” “It’s difficult finding affordable perfor- from textile mills or coal mines.” Another quirk of the British style is that This year’s competition will be in Fort mance spaces in the city,” says Alt. “We’re The British style means there is a spe- all instruments read music in treble clef. Wayne, Ind., and, according to the asso- always looking to play more in Lansing.” City Pulse • February 18, 2015 www.lansingcitypulse.com 13

"I could make you cry, make you laugh, or your kitchen," Belafonte said. "I'm in your make you sensitive to something you might face. What do I do with that space?" 'Now we're not have thought about," he said. At last year's Oscars, Belafonte praised To demonstrate, he sang the famous film-makers for rising out of its racist "Birth of cry, "Day-O," from his signature song, "The a Nation" origins to make socially conscious about nothing' Banana Boat Song." His soothing rasp had a films like "12 Years a Slave," "Schindler's cutting edge, like a file sawing through bars. List" and "Brokeback Mountain." He praised Harry Belafonte brings down the Underneath the song's infectious joy hides "Selma" at Thursday's MSU speech and a story of grinding work, exploitation and urged the audience to see it. hammer in passionate MSU lecture inequality, just as the song's" pretty bananas" But Belafonte added that the arts, too, are By LAWRENCE COSENTINO hide a tarantula. far from immune to corruption. He cited the Harry Belafonte is a tall tree with deep Success in music and movies, Belafonte origins of hip hop as a vital form of expres- roots in music, movies and civil rights activ- said, gave him a platform for delivering more sion for people in poor urban centers until ism, but he didn't come to Michigan State "overt" messages. He recalled introducing "gangsters and corporations" took over. "It's University last week to cast a kindly shadow. King to the audience at his concerts in the not just rap," he said. "American culture has At 88, he was desperately planting seeds. 1950s. suffocated under the pressure money can Addressing a packed conference room at Lawrence Cosentino/City Pulse "I'm in your bedroom, your bathroom, bring." the Kellogg Center Thursday afternoon, the Harry Belafonte delivered a fiery speech actor-singer-activist slammed the American on civil rights, arts, education and culture of greed and accused colleges and commercialism in modern society. Ingham County Animal Shelter To adopt one of these pets from the ICAS call (517) 676-8370. 600 Curtis St., Mason, MI 48854. ac.ingham.org universities of turning their backs on the humanities. in Ferguson, New York and elsewhere. He Mr. Kat Poppy "Once [colleges] gave us the gift of had advice for protesters who are pressed by Mr. Kat is a handsome boy Poppy is a sweet girl who enjoys genius, understanding, analysis," he said. opponents to enumerate "exactly what they with a lot of love to give. He attention. She loves to be pet, "Now the curriculum is totally empty. Much want." enjoys attention and can't but may prefer a home without of what (students) talk about is how to pre- "Don't let them put the trick on you," wait to find his forever home. children, as she can be a little pare themselves for the gift of money." he said. "Sometimes it's important to know Sponsored by: Ioana picky about being picked up. The humanities, Belafonte said, have paid what you don't want." Sonea Sponsored by Stumpy a "terrible price." Besides higher education, Belafonte "We do not see the lust among students lamented the state of other institutions he to answer the big questions," he said. "What feels have eroded in the new century, begin- Orangesicle is love? What is truth? We assume the good ning with "a vital, powerful and productive Orangesicle is a sweet boy Earth is something we can rape and exploit." labor movement" that "had our backs" in the who loves to snuggle. He is Nobody had to wonder what gets fight against poverty and equality. a bit on the calmer side and Belafonte up in the morning. He looked, and He criticized churches, too, for losing may prefer a quiet home, as talked, like a defiant oak in a dying forest. their way. "Now we have Christianity fight- he can be a little shy. "We are numb to our deeper humanity," ing Islam and Islam fighting Christianity, Sponsored by Linn & he said. "Why must power suffocate us so destroying life," he said. "When the church Owen Jewelers easily?" becomes so powerful, it becomes more about Mama Decrying a 21st-century vacuum of "cour- property than souls." Betty age and leadership," he invoked giants of He left no doubt where his soft spot, and Moose Betty is a sweet the 20th century, including his close friend primary hope for the future, lies. Mama Moose is a gentle, girl looking for Martin Luther King, Jr., W.E.B. Du Bois and "Artists are the gatekeepers of truth, civi- sweet lady. She would a special family. Franklin Roosevelt, as leaders who advanced lization's radical voice," he said. be happy as a lap dog. She's super smart human rights and economic equality. He cit- In the 1950s, Belafonte, along with fellow She loves to give big and just needs a ed federal programs such as Social Security African-American artist-activists like Ossie slobbery kisses and eat chance to shine! and the Works Progress Administration and Davis, Ruby Dee and Sidney Poitier, seized cookies! Sponsored Sponsored by: laws like the Voting Rights Act. upon the arts as a vehicle for social change. by: Schuler Books Dale Schrader "Somewhere along the line, all that dis- Lansing appeared," he said. "Now we're just about Kia Okemos 5200 S. MLK nothing." Kia is a sweet girl but 1802 W. Grand River 517.882.1611 He pointedly left President Barack she's not very confident 517.349.8435 6201 W. Saginaw Hwy. Dewitt 517.323.6920 Obama out of his speech. about how she should 12286 U.S. 127 Charlotte Although hundreds of people packed act. She is always afraid 517.669.8824 515 Lansing Road the Big Ten Room in the Kellogg Center, she is going to get into 517.541.1700 Belafonte didn't hide his disappointment trouble. She needs some- at the "demographics" of the room. (Most one who can use some were past their 40s and many were long positive reinforcement. soldanspet.com past.) Clearly, he hoped to sow his seeds on STORE HOURS younger soil. Marissa Mon 9am - 9pm Instead, he admonished the salt-and- Marissa is a happy tornado! She will Tue 9am - 9pm pepper-haired crowd as teachers and men- need an experienced hound owner Wed 9am - 9pm tors who are falling asleep at the switch. Thu 9am - 9pm who understands their lovable, quirky, Fri 9am - 9pm When young people succumb to political sometimes stubborn ways. Sat 9am - 9pm apathy or forget civil rights history, he said, Sun 9am - 8pm they are not to blame. "What happened to 2655 East our young people is us," he said. "We blinked. Grand River We let it go. We shifted the values. Now we East Lansing, MI 48823 foodsforliving.com (517) 324-9010 look at the world and everything is a struggle for power." Sponsor a pet on the next Adoption Page for only $35 — $6 goes to the shelter. To sponsor, call by Nov 3: 999-5061 Now!! Adopt a pet on this page & Soldan's will thank you However, Belafonte sees a new spark of with a $10 gift certificate. Contact (517) 999-5061 after you adopt. passion for human rights in the recent pro- tests over police killings of young black men 14 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • February 18, 2015

World Magazine. The play is faithful to history, and is According to his fanciful account, de presented in a unique manner. As de Rougemont grew up a sickly boy who rev- Rougemont, Rick Dethlefsen delivers what eled in the adventure stories his mother is essentially a 90-minute monologue, read to him. At the age of 16 he left home busking his wares — his storytelling skills to see the world, and went to sea with a — on stage. On opening night, Dethlefsen crew of pearl divers. The lone survivor of sold the story almost flawlessly, throwing cute. And while “Topdog” benefited from a terrible storm, he was shipwrecked on himself full-force into the narrative with the bare and intimate space of the AA a small island near New Guinea. He was maximum charisma. De Rougemont him- Fantastic voyage Creative Corridor, alone for three years until an Aboriginal self would have been impressed. Ixion Theatre brings the outlandish “Shipwrecked! An “Shipwrecked!” woman, Yamba, and her father were also Christine Fisk and Steve Ledyard Entertainment” would benefit from a shipwrecked on the island. accompany Dethlefsen on his journey, Ixion Theatre tales of Louis de Rougemont to life 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21; space that offers bet- Eventually, de Rougemont and his com- taking on multiple roles and creating 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 22 ter light and sound panions built a boat and returned to their simple sound and visual effects. Fisk is By MARY C. CUSACK $15 AA Creative Corridor effects. tribe in Australia. The tribe worshipped solid as both de Rougemont’s mother and Ixion Theatre’s latest production, 1133 S. Washington Ave., The play is based him as a god. He married Yamba and lived wife (what would Freud have said about “Shipwrecked! An Entertainment — Lansing on the real-life and with the tribe for 30 years. Homesickness that?), but her accents are inconsistent (517) 775-4246 the Amazing Adventures of Louis de ixiontheatre.com imagined exploits of eventually led him to trek across Australia when playing characters such as the salty Rougemont (as Told by Himself)” is the one Henri Grin. In to find his way back to London, where sea captain. polar opposite of its last play. the late 1800s, Grin created a fantastical he sold his story. It was a huge hit, and Ledyard is nothing short of adorable as Review “Topdog/Underdog” was grit- (and mostly fictional) biography, under de Rougemont was the toast of London Bruno, the ship’s dog and de Rougemont’s ty, intense and tragic, while the pseudonym Louis de Rougemont, — until several scientists and journalists companion for many years. Ledyard “Shipwrecked!” is innocent, charming and which he sold to London’s Wide challenged his stories. takes on other characters, both goofy and serious, but his performance as Bruno is oddly touching. While director SaDonna Croff and the cast have done their best to maximize the imaginative value of sparse props and set, the play could be a more immersive experience if it were presented in a black box space that allowed for better light- ing and staging effects. Perhaps Ixion will be the next Peppermint Creek or Williamston Theatre and eventually find a suitable home that will allow it to reach its potential. “Shipwrecked” is probably the most family-friendly production Ixion has ever produced. Children will easily be trans- ported into the world of de Rougemont’s imagination and will certainly love Bruno the dog. It’s unfortunate that the produc- tion may be past most bedtimes, but with the show’s tight, 90-minute running time, maybe some kids will be allowed to stay up to see a man tell tales about riding a sea turtle.

37 City Pulse • February 18, 2015 www.lansingcitypulse.com 15

the family was able to move. eighth grade, moved to Boston and later Malcolm’s father was charged Harlem where he fell into a life of crime. How Malcolm with arson but exonerated. The At 20, Malcolm was imprisoned for six family believed that an offshoot years. While in prison, he converted to of the Ku Klux Klan set fire to the the Nation of Islam faith and would go became X home. on to become a leader in the group, first In 1931, further tragedy struck in Detroit then eventually New York. New young adult novel tells the story when Earl Little either fell or, as Shabazz believes that the tragedies in of Malcolm X’s formative years Shabazz contends in her book, her father’s life are crucial to understand- was thrown under a street car ing the passion he brought to the civil By BILL CASTANIER on West Michigan Avenue. She rights movement. “It is so important for you and me to says that family stories and first- “It’s important for people to under - spend time today learning something person recollections lead her to stand how he found himself pained by a about the past so that we can better believe that her grandfather was society he thought was unjust,” she says. understand the present, analyze it and killed by the KKK. (Although, in a Shabazz says she co-wrote this novel, then do something about it.” speech at MSU, Malcolm X pulled as well as her recent children’s picture This is not a quote from a famous his- back from that theory.) book, “Malcolm Little: The Boy Who torian, it’s from the firebrand civil rights Earl Little’s death set in motion Grew Up to be Malcolm X,” so that “the activist Malcolm X. Those who have read a series of events that would important work my father did is remem- about his transformation from petty result in Malcolm X’s mother's bered.” street criminal to formidable civil rights commitment to Kalamazoo “I believe that it is appropriate activist will not be surprised by his pas- State Hospital after a nervous for young people in society to revisit sion for history. breakdown. Malcolm’s journey and his role in history,” Author Ilyasah Shabazz, Malcolm X's At 13, Malcolm was sent she says. daughter, shares her father’s passion for to a foster home in Mason history. She is co-author of a new young where he would excel as a stu- adult book, “X: A Novel,” which recounts dent, but was also exposed to the story of her father’s conversion for a further racism. new generation of readers. This release is Malcolm X wrote in his auto- a timely one: Malcolm X was assassinat- Courtesy photo biography that a Mason teacher ed in New York 50 years ago on Saturday. “X: A Novel,” by Ilyasah Shabazz and Kekla Magoon, admonished him for aspiring to “X: A Novel” is an extraordinary tells the story of Malcolm X’s early years. be a lawyer, telling him “A lawyer coming-of-age story covering the life of — that’s no realistic goal for a nig- a young Malcolm Little between 1930 The family’s time in Lansing was ger.” Malcolm dropped out of school after Long Live and 1948, beginning with his formative marked by tragedy. Early on, the fam- years in Lansing and ending with his reli- ily was ordered to leave their first home gious conversion and his adoption of the in northwest Lansing because of the the Indie! name Malcolm X. Shabazz, a 63-year-old restricted covenant which allowed only author and consultant in New York, says Caucasians to live there. Every purchase you make that she wants to reinforce the fact that The house burned to the ground before Malcolm X began life with “a solid foun- at your local bookstore dation.” US 127 & Lake Lansing Rd helps ensure that it will be “My father was born into a whole there for you in the future. household: father, mother and siblings, www.NCGmovies.com and the parents were educated,” she says. “That characterization of him has been (517) 316-9100 Stop by today for new and lost in the media.” Student Discount with ID used books, music, films, Earl and Louise Little and their four ID required for “R” rated films children arrived in Lansing in 1929 when eBooks, or to eat in the Malcolm was 4. The family had been liv- Chapbook Cafe! ing in a temporary home in Milwaukee after being terrorized by the Ku Klux Klan and driven out of Omaha. LANSING - OFF SOUTH CEDAR AT 1-96 We Thank You VISIT CELEBRATIONCINEMA.COM OR CALL 393-SHOW for supporting your local, Commercial & Residential independent bookstore! Fully Insured Visit SchulerBooks.com to shop for books and ebooks 24-7, and for a calendar of in-store events for both of our Lansing-area locations, Located in the eastwood Towne Center and the Meridian Mall Call Joan at: For more information, visit (517) 881-2204 www.schulerbooks.com 16 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • February 18, 2015

Beyond Batman Friday Feb. 20

ON THE The mainstream comics industry is Hart has led an illustrious career in the something of a mess these days. The industry, garnering awards for his self- big two, Marvel and DC Comics, are so published work, “Hutch Owen’s Working busy grooming their characters in hopes Hard,” and of making millions of dollars with movie teaching at New “African Biography adaptations that revisions and reboots have York’s School of and History in World TOWNEvents must be entered through the calendar at become as expected as Batman handing the Visual Arts. Hart Comics” lansingcitypulse.com. Deadline is 5 p.m. Thursdays Joker his own teeth. With so much effort to is working on Feb. 16 - Mar. 6 turn the medium into a multi-media product, an elaboration Noon-2 p.m. Monday-Friday for the following week’s issue. Charges may apply for Lookout! Gallery paid events to appear in print. If you need assistance, it can be easy to overlook the fact that of a mini-comic 362 Bogue St., East Lansing please call Jonathan at (517) 999-5069. comic books can achieve an artistry that few he produced on comicsforum.msu.edu other mediums can. the topic of the In-Store Signing For eight years now, Ryan Claytor, untimely passing with Jason Howard Wednesday, February 18 who teaches visual narrative classes at of his 2-year- 5-6:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20 Michigan State University and the University old daughter. Hollow Mountain Comics Classes and Seminars 611 E. Grand River Ave., East Drop-in Figure Drawing. Easels and drawing of Michigan-Flint, has assembled a team Claytor’s Lansing boards provided. 7-9:30 p.m. $5/$3 students. of like-minded enthusiasts that puts forth description of (517) 708-7191 hollowmountaincomics.com Kresge Art Center, 600 Auditorium Road, East super heroic efforts to bring the MSU the work hints at Lansing. (517) 337-1170, artmuseum.msu.edu. Comics Forum to East Lansing. The forum a punch rarely Keynote Address Family Storytime. Ages up to 6. Stories, is a celebration of all things comic books, found in typical rhymes and activities. 10:30 a.m. FREE. CADL with Tom Hart going well beyond the capes and tights and comics fare. 7-8:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20 South Lansing Library, 3500 S. Cedar St., Lansing. Snyder/Phillips Hall Basement (517) 367-6363. delving into the variety of styles and talents “As a new 362 Bogue St., East Lansing Meditation. For beginners and experienced. 7-9 that make up the medium. That doesn’t parent, that comic comicsforum.msu.edu p.m. FREE. Vietnamese Buddhist Temple, 3015 S. mean that superhero fans aren’t invited, by brought me to my Artist Alley and Washington Ave., Lansing. (517) 351-5866. any means. Despite the tumult, Claytor even knees,” Claytor MiCafe. Information on financial assistance for Panel Discussions admits a certain fondness for the genre. said. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, seniors. 9:30 a.m.-noon. FREE. Meridian Senior “I’m not gonna say I don’t read any On Saturday, Feb. 21 Center, 4000 N. Okemos Road, Okemos. (517) 706- Snyder Phillips Hall 2nd Floor 5045, meridianseniorcenter.weebly.com. superhero books,” said Claytor. “I just prefer the forum will 362 Bogue St., East Lansing comicsforum.msu.edu Alcoholics Anonymous. A closed step meeting. a more literary slant. Works that tackle hold its annual 6 p.m. Donations. Pennsylvania Ave. Church of topics that haven’t been tackled before.” artist alley and God, 3500 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Lansing. (517) Events related to the forum started panel discussions. Guests can meet artists 899-3215. on Monday, including an exhibition at and look at works from over 30 exhibitors H.E.R.O.: Easy Drywall Repair. Call or email MSU’s Residential College in the Arts and from Michigan and beyond. For those feeling [email protected] to register. 6-8 p.m. FREE. Humanity’s Lookout! Gallery entitled “African intellectual, this year’s panel discussions Neighborhood Empowerment Center, 600 W. Biography and History in World Comics.” The feature a variety of topics and participants Maple St., Lansing. (517) 372-5980, glhc.org. Walk-In Wednesdays. Drop-In Art Class. exhibit will feature works from all over Africa to round out the forum’s scholarly approach All ages. 4:30-5:30 p.m. FREE ($5 suggested that deal with history and biographies from to the comics medium. donation). Reach Studio Art Center, 1804 S. the continent. The exhibit may even feature Putting together this year’s forum was Washington Ave., Lansing. (517) 999-3643, works donated to MSU Library’s special a bit of a scramble. Its original keynote reachstudioart.org. collections that Claytor himself picked up on speaker, MAD Magazine cartooning virtuoso a trip to Mali in 2009. Sergio Aragones, had to drop out for health Events “I saw a flier that I thought had to do with reasons. While his absence may sting a bit, DTDL Book Club. Discuss Jojo Moyes' "Me a comics related event, but I couldn’t read this year’s forum is still packed with events Before You." 6-7:30 p.m. FREE. Delta Township District Library, 5130 Davenport Drive, Lansing. the language,” Claytor said. “I ended up and high quality talent, furthering the case (517) 321-4014 ext. 4, dtdl.org. just going and it turned out to be a comics that comics can be so much more than Ben Open Workshop. Bike repair, bike safety and convention. I bought a bunch of comics to Day dots and daring do. Despite the hiccups, biking as healthy exercise. 6-8 p.m. FREE. Kids donate to MSU.” Claytor has all the confidence that this will be Repair Program, 5815 Wise Road, Lansing. (517) The forum proper starts Friday with an as great a forum as in years past. 755-4174. in-store signing at East Lansing’s Hollow “The marketing was quick for this one Farmers Market at Allen Market Place. Courtesy photo Mountain Comics with Jason Howard, a (due to Sergio dropping out), but people Locally grown, baked and prepared foods. 3-6:30 (Top) Tom Hart's Holt-based comic artist. Howard is known should know we have an amazing keynote p.m. FREE. Allen Street Farmers Market, 1619 E. promotional art Kalamazoo St., Lansing. (517) 999-3911. for the 2015 MSU for working alongside some of the industry’s speaker,” Claytor said. “Tom Hart is gonna Practice Your English. Practice listening to and Comics Forum. A-list talent, including “The Walking Dead” kill it with his keynote speech.” speaking English. 7-8:30 p.m. FREE. East Lansing (Bottom) Pieces creator Robert Kirkman. Howard’s work can Public Library, 950 Abbot Road, East Lansing. (517) being exhibited in be seen in author Warren Ellis’ moody sci-fi 351-2420, elpl.org. Lookout! Gallery's serial “Trees.” "African Biography and World History in After the signing, Tom Hart takes the See Out on the Town, Page 18 Comics. stage at MSU to give the keynote address. —JONATHAN GRIFFITH City Pulse • February 18, 2015 www.lansingcitypulse.com 17

Dirk Powell and Riley Baugus at the Ten Pound Fiddle

Unitarian Universalist Church, 855 Grove St, East Lansing. $18, $15 members, $5 students. 7:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 20 Fiddler Dirk Powell and banjoist/guitarist Riley Baugus bring their old- time music expertise to the Ten Pound Fiddle. Deeply rooted in Appalachian heritage, both members of the duo are highly regarded in the American roots scene. Powell has recorded acclaimed releases for Rounder Records and played on Loretta Lynn’s Grammy-winning “Van Lear Rose” LP. He has also performed alongside Sting, Jack White, Levon Helm, Jewel, T-Bone Burnett and A survey of Lansing’s Linda Ronstadt. Baugus has gigged with a number of bands, including the Red Musical LAndscape Hots and the Old Hollow Stringband. When not performing or teaching banjo, guitar or fiddle at music camps across the map, he’s also worked on other By RICH TUPICA FRI. FEB artists’ projects. Baugus is featured on the Lonesome Sisters’ “Going Home 20th Shoes” LP and contributed vocals to the Academy Award-winning “Cold Mountain” soundtrack.

A Night Under Covers... Know Lyfe is now Heartsick The Loft, 414 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing. All ages, $15, $10, 6:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb 21 A roster of area bands will drop their original tunes for “A Night Under Covers,” an ongoing, all-covers concert series at the Loft. The event was created by vocalist Alfonso Civile of Know Lyfe. For this evening, Know Lyfe will perform as Silverchair. Other bands parading as major-label acts include: Frizzle Fry (Primus), Heed the Assailant (Mudvayne), Assume Nothing (Bullet For My Valentine), Break the Edge (A Day to Remem- ber), From Blue to Gray (Rob Zombie) and Given Six (Manson). As for Know Lyfe, this will be their last show SAT. FEB under that moniker. The metal veterans announced a new band name: Heartsick. The newly branded group will continue playing its original material. The band has completed work on its upcoming album, and also unveiled a 21ST new track, “Rose Casket Diary,” on its Youtube channel.

Hailey Wojcik and the Shondes at the Avenue The Avenue Café, 2021 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing. 18+, $5, 9 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 26 Lansing-based songwriter Hailey Wojcik is preparing for a United States tour with the Shondes, a Brooklyn- based rock ‘n’ roll outfit. Also performing is So Long Naota, a “QueerPop” music collective spearheaded by Daniel Ryan Balderas. Wojcik's extensive 30-date tour, which includes this stop at the Avenue Café, stretches from Brook- lyn to San Francisco. Wojcik cut her teeth in the Lansing music scene, but has also spent time living and gigging in New York. Her next record, the “Book of Beasts” EP, will be available March 3 via Wiener Records. A video for THU. FEB the debut single, “XO, Skeleton,” is streaming on YouTube and features stop motion and old home-video footage, edited together by Wojcik. As for the Shondes, MTV describes the group’s sound as “a touch of Bruce Springsteen, 26th a touch of Nashville and plenty of gritty ‘90s pop punk.”

v Contact rich tupica at [email protected] >>> to be listed in live & local e-mail [email protected]

LIVE & LOCAL Wednesday Thursday Friday Sat u r day The Avenue Café, 2021 E. Michigan Ave. Service Industry Night, 3 p.m. Open Mic, 9 p.m. Lez "B" Honest, 9 p.m. Genome, 9 p.m. Blue Gill Grill, 1591 Lake Lansing Rd. Karle Delo, 7 p.m. Chris Laskos, 7 p.m. Capital Prime, 2324 Showtime Dr. Bob Schultz, 8:30 p.m. Bobby Standal, 8:30 p.m. Claddagh Irish Pub, 2900 Towne Centre Blvd. Sam Corbin, 8:30 p.m. Coach’s Pub & Grill, 6201 Bishop Rd. Young Guns, 9 p.m. DJ, 9 p.m. Colonial Bar, 3425 S. MLK Blvd. Open Mic w/Pat Zelenka, 9 p.m. Showdown, 9 p.m. Showdown, 9 p.m. Crunchy’s, 254 W. Grand River Ave. Colin Riley, 10 p.m. Karaoke, 9 p.m. Karaoke, 9 p.m. Karaoke, 9 p.m. The Exchange, 314 E. Michigan Ave. Good Cookies, 9:30 p.m. Skoryoke live band karaoke, 9:30 p.m. Avon Bomb, 9:30 p.m. Avon Bomb, 9:30 p.m. Grand Café/Sir Pizza, 201 E. Grand River Ave. Karaoke w/Joanie Daniels, 7 p.m. Gold Rush, 8 p.m. Green Door, 2005 E. Michigan Ave. Johhny D Jam, 9 p.m. Karaoke Kraze, 9 p.m. Still Rain, 9 p.m. Root Doctor, 9 p.m. Gus's Bar, 2321 W. Michigan Ave. Karaoke The Loft, 414 E. Michigan Ave. Citizun, 9 p.m. Homegrown Throwdown, 6:30 p.m. A NIght Under Covers, 6:30 p.m. Log Jam, 110 W. Jefferson St. Sarah Brunner, 9 p.m. Mac’s Bar, 2700 E. Michigan Ave. Spence, 9 p.m. Savior Monroe, 9 p.m. Zacharia$, 8 p.m. A Sleepless Malice, 9 p.m. Moriarty's Pub, 802 E. Michigan Ave. EP & the MTVs, 9 p.m. The Lash, 9 p.m. Zydecrunch, 9 p.m. R-Club, 6409 Centurion Dr. Pat Zelenka Project, 8:30 p.m. Pat Zelenka Project, 8:30 p.m. Reno's North, 16460 Old US 27 Kathy Ford Karaoke, 8 p.m. The Tenants, 8 p.m. The New Rule, 8 p.m. Reno's East, 1310 Abbot Rd. The New Rule, 7 p.m. Rush Clement, 7 p.m. Reno's West, 501 W. Saginaw Hwy. Kathy Ford, 8 p.m. Rachel & Alex, 8 p.m. Tin Can West, 644 Migaldi Ln. Waterpong, 11 p.m. Unicorn Tavern, 327 E. Grand River Ave. Frog & the Beeftones, 8:30 p.m. Lady Luck, 8:30 p.m. Lady Luck, 8:30 p.m. Waterfront Bar & Grill, 325 City Market Dr. Joe Wright, 6 p.m. Watershed, 5965 Marsh Rd. Trevor Compton, 7 p.m. Dan MacLaughlin, 8 p.m. Capital City DJs, 10 p.m. Capital City DJs, 10 p.m. Whiskey Barrel Saloon, 410 S. Clippert St. DJ, 9 p.m. DJ, 9 p.m. To get listed just email us at [email protected] or call (517) 999-5069. LivE & Local lists upcominG gigs! Only submit information for the following week's paper. 18 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • February 18, 2015

Lansing. (517) 492-1866. micagallery.org. Marshall Music Drum Circle. All ages and levels Out on the town Teen Game Haven. Play a variety of games; welcome. 6:30 p.m. FREE. Marshall Music, 3240 E. Events board, cards and video. 3-5:30 p.m. FREE. East Saginaw St., Lansing. (517) 337-9700, marshallmusic. from page 16 Spanish Conversation. Practice listening to and Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road, East com. Lansing. (517) 351-2420, elpl.org. Bill Nelton from CADL at ANC. One room school speaking Spanish. 7-8 p.m. FREE. East Lansing Public Spanish Conversation. Practice listening to and house. 10 a.m.-noon, FREE. Allen Neighborhood Library, 950 Abbot Road, East Lansing. (517) 351- Theater speaking Spanish. 7-8 p.m. FREE. East Lansing Public Center, 1619 E. Kalamazoo St., Lansing. (517) 367- 2420, elpl.org. "The Best Brothers." A bittersweet comedy. 2468, allenneighborhoodcenter.org. 8 p.m. $22. Williamston Theatre, 122 S. Putnam, Burning Desires Art Exhibit. Exploration of Williamston. (517) 655-7469, williamstontheatre.org. love, desire and romance. Noon-5 p.m. FREE. MICA FRIDAY FEB. 20-21 & FEB. 27-MAR. 1 >> A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE AT LCC Theater Gallery, 1210 N. Turner St., Lansing. (517) 371-4600, PREVIEW Literature and Poetry micagallery.org. In the award-winning “A Streetcar Named Desire,” Tennessee Williams Chipmunk Story Time. Preschoolers enjoy Teen Crafternoon. Teens create a candy sushi poignantly portrays how family ties can sometimes turn into nooses. nature stories, games and crafts. 10-11 a.m. $3. craft. 3-5:30 p.m. FREE. East Lansing Public Library, Presented by LCC’s theater department, the play offers a glimpse into the scandalous Harris Nature Center, 3998 Van Atta Road, Okemos. 950 Abbot Road, East Lansing. (517) 351-2420, elpl. (517) 349-3866, meridian.mi.us. org. private lives of a dysfunctional New Orleans family. Directed by LCC theater Professor Thursday Morning Storytime. Stories and Death and Dying Discussion. Media images Paige Dunckel, the play features local filmmaker Michael McCallum as Stanley Kowalski, crafts. 10 a.m. FREE. Barnes and Noble, 5132 W. Saginaw Highway, Lansing. (517) 327-0437, bn.com. of death vs. ever-young emphasis. 6 p.m. Pilgrim Anna Szabo as Blanche Dubois and Sarah Lynn Wilke as Stella Kowalski. 8 p.m. Friday Congregational UCC, 125 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Festival of Listening. An evening of untranslated Lansing. (517) 484-7434, pilgrimucc.com. and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. $15/$10 seniors and staff/$5 student. Dart Auditorium, poetry. 7 p.m. FREE. (SCENE) Metrospace, 110 500 N. Capitol Ave., Lansing. (517) 483-1488, lcc.edu/showinfo. Charles St., East Lansing. (517) 884-1932, poetry. Music rcah.msu.edu/calendar.html. Fusion Shows presents. Live music. 21-up. 10 FRIDAY, FEB. 20 >> ‘TIDAL SHIFT’ OPENING RECEPTION AT THE BROAD p.m. FREE. Crunchy's, 254 W. Grand River Ave., East Lansing. (517) 351-2506, crunchyseastlansing.com. The Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum puts the spotlight on the talented ranks of MSU’s Friday, February 20 own studio art and design faculty with its new exhibit, “Tidal Shift: Department of Art, Art Classes and Seminars History, and Design Faculty Triennial.” The exhibit features works from over 20 artists How to Use Local Orbit. Learn to use the AMP Thursday, February 19 in a variety of contemporary mediums. Outside of MSU, members of the studio art and Exchange online marketplace. 1-3 p.m. FREE. Allen Market Place, 1619 E. Kalamazoo, Lansing. (517) 999- Classes and Seminars design faculty regularly exhibit and have gained national and international recognition for Tween Chinese New Year Party. Ages 9-12 3923, allenmarketplace.org/happenings. Games, crafts and food. 6:30-7:30 p.m. FREE. Delta their work. 6:30 p.m. FREE. Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, 547 E. Circle Drive, East Mud and Mug. Learn how to work with clay. Bring Township District Library, 5130 Davenport Drive, Lansing. (517) 884-4800, broadmuseum.msu.edu. refreshments. Ages 21 and over. 7-10 p.m. $25. Lansing. (517) 321-4014 ext. 3, dtdl.org. Reach Studio Art Center, 1804 S. Washington Ave., Lansing Area Codependent Anonymous. 7-8 FRIDAY FEB. 20-22 & FEB. 25-MARCH 1 >> MACBETH AT MSU Lansing. (517) 999-3643, reachstudioart.org/events. p.m. FREE. Community Mental Health Building, Room Theater PREVIEW 214G, 812 E. Jolly Road, Lansing. (517) 515-5559, Tragedy, murder and witches make their way to the stage of Fairchild PREVIEW Events coda.org. Used Book Sale. $1 hardcover; 25 cents Take Off Pounds Sensibly. 5:15 p.m. $5. New Theatre as MSU’s Department of Theatre presents Shakespeare’s paperbacks. Wide variety. 6-8 p.m. Grand Ledge Hope Church, 1340 Haslett Road, Haslett. (517) 349- classic, “Macbeth.” Come early on Sunday for a director pre-show discussion at Area District Library, 131 E. Jefferson St., Grand 9183, newhopehaslett.com. 1:15 p.m., or stay late on Feb. 26 for a director post-show discussion. 7:30 p.m. Ledge. (517) 627-9588. grandledge.lib.mi.us. Take Off Pounds Sensibly. Weigh-in 6 p.m., StoryTime. Ages 3-6 years enjoy stories, songs meeting 6:30 p.m. FREE. St. David’s Episcopal Wednesday and Thursday; 8 p.m. Friday; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. and crafts. 10:30-11:15 a.m. FREE. East Lansing Public Church, 1519 Elmwood Road, Lansing. (517) 882- $15/$13 seniors and faculty/$10 students. Fairchild Theatre, Auditorium Building, Library, 950 Abbot Road, East Lansing. (517) 351- 9080, stdavidslansing.org. MSU Campus, 542 Auditorium Road, East Lansing. theatre.msu.edu/macbeth. 2420, elpl.org. Blood Pressure Check. Free blood pressure Burning Desires Art Exhibit. Exploration of checks. 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. FREE. Meridian Senior love, desire and romance. Noon-5 p.m. FREE. MICA FRIDAY FEB.20-21 & 27-28 >> BLUE LIGHT PLAYERS PRESENT THE MUSIC MAN Gallery, 1210 N. Turner St., Lansing. (517) 371-4600, Center, 4000 N. Okemos Road, Okemos. (517) 706- Theater 5045. PREVIEW micagallery.org. Family Storytime. Ages up to 6. Stories, rhymes The Blue Light Players are celebrating their 10th anniversary with performances Teen Tech Time. Teens have access to a cluster of and activities. 10:30 a.m. FREE. CADL Downtown of “The Music Man,” a story of a con man posing as a children’s band leader. laptops. 3-5 p.m. FREE. East Lansing Public Library, Lansing Library, 401 S. Capitol Ave., Lansing. (517) The Blue Light Players are a nonprofit musical theater group dedicated to raising money 950 Abbot Road, East Lansing. (517) 351-2420, elpl. 367-6363, cadl.org. org. Mind Benders. Enjoy a trivia game. 11 a.m. FREE. for families of fallen police officers. This year’s production will honor Ingham County "Tidal Shift" Opening Reception. Department of Meridian Senior Center, 4000 N. Okemos Road, Deputy, Grant Whitaker, and Michigan State Trooper, Jeffrey Werda, who lost their lives Art, Art History and Design Faculty Triennial. 7 p.m. Okemos. (517) 706-5045. in the line of duty. 7 p.m. $15. Albert White Auditorium, Hannah Community Center, 819 FREE. Broad Art Museum, 547 E. Circle Drive, East Meditation. For beginners and experienced. 7-8:30 Lansing. (517) 884-0659. broadmuseum.msu.edu. p.m. FREE. Quan Am Temple, 1840 N. College Ave., Abbot Road, East Lansing. bluelightplayers.com MSU Community Club Feb. Event. Cathy Mason. (517) 853-1675, quanamtemple.org. George, MSU volleyball coach will speak. 12:30-2:30 Tarot Study Group. With Dawne Botke. 7 p.m. MSU Federal Credit Union (Farm Lane Branch,) Karaoke. With Atomic D. 9 p.m. LeRoy’s Classic Library, 950 Abbot Road, East Lansing. (517) 351- p.m. FREE. Triple Goddess New Age Bookstore, 4825 E. Mt. Hope Rd., East Lansing. (517) 332-4313. Bar & Grill, 1526 S. Cedar St., Lansing. (517) 482- 2420, elpl.org. 2019 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing. (517) 883-3619, 0184. LINC Meeting. Discuss issues in Meridian Township triplegoddessbookstore.net. Euchre. No partner needed. 6-9 p.m. $1.50. Delta with LINC. 6:45 p.m. FREE. CADL Haslett Library, Music Genealogy Club. Third Thursday of each Township Enrichment Center, 4538 Elizabeth Road, 1590 Franklin St., Haslett. (517) 339-2324. The Lash. Live music. 9 p.m. FREE. Moriarty's Pub, month. 2-3 p.m. FREE. Meridian Senior Center, Lansing. (517) 484-5600. Kindergarten Roundup. Children play and visit 802 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing. (517) 485-5287. 4000 N. Okemos Road, Okemos. (517) 706-5045, Ladies Silver Blades Figure Skating Club. with teachers. 6 -7 p.m. FREE. Jumpin' Jax, 1475 Lake MSU Jazz Octets. Vincent Bowens, saxophone; meridianseniorcenter.weebly.com. Lessons, exercise and practice for adults. All skill Lansing Road, Lansing. (517) 882-6631, ow.ly/J0W0V. Tim Fronek, drums. 8 p.m. $10/$8 seniors/students H.E.R.O.: Installing Wall Trim. Call or email levels welcome. 9:30-11:30 a.m. Suburban Ice, 2810 FREE. Cook Recital Hall, 333 W. Circle Drive, East [email protected] to register. 6-8 p.m. FREE. Hannah Blvd., East Lansing. (517) 574-4380. Music Lansing. (517) 353-5340. music.msu.edu. Neighborhood Empowerment Center, 600 W. Maple 8-Ball Tournament. Bring your pool game to The DJClarinet Combo. New Orleans flavored St. Lansing. (517) 372-5980, glhc.org. the Avenue. Call to confirm because it is cancelled jazz/swing DJClarinet Combo. 8 p.m. FREE. Libby's Theater Shamanic Healing Clinic. Group session. 6- occasionally. 7 p.m. $10. The Avenue Cafe, 2021 Jazz Club, 128 W. Michigan Ave., Jackson. (517) 795- "A Streetcar Named Desire." Classic drama 7:30 p.m. FREE, donations accepted. Willow Stick Michigan Ave., Lansing. (517) 492-7403. 2629, libbysjazzclub.com. by Tennessee Williams. 8 p.m. $15/$5 students/$10 Ceremonies, 1515 W. Mt. Hope Ave. Suite 3, Lansing. Burning Desires Art Exhibit. Exploration of EP & the MTVs. Live music. 9 p.m. FREE. seniors, LCC staff and alumni. Dart Auditorium, LCC (517) 402-6727, willowstickceremonies.com. love, desire and romance. Noon-5 p.m. FREE. MICA Moriarty's Pub, 802 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing. (517) Campus, 500 N. Capitol Ave. Lansing. (517) 483-1546, Celebrate Recovery. For all types of habits. Gallery, 1210 N. Turner St., Lansing. (517) 371-4600, 485-5287. 6:30 p.m. FREE. Trinity Church, 3355 Dunckel Road, See Out on the Town, Page 19 City Pulse • February 18, 2015 www.lansingcitypulse.com 19

Intro to Gouache Workshop. Learn basic Burning Desires Art Exhibit. Exploration of Out on the town Music techniques. Noon-4 p.m. $45, $5 materials fee. love, desire and romance. Noon-3 p.m. FREE. MICA from page 18 Family Concert: PALamazoo Sue. East Grove Gallery & Studios, 325 Grove St. #A, East Gallery, 1210 N. Turner St., Lansing. (517) 371-4600, Lansing's Childrens Concert Series, 11 a.m. FREE. Lansing. (517) 333-7180, grovegalleryandstudios.com. micagallery.org. lcc.edu/showinfo. Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot Road, East Sunday's Avenue Cure All. Make your own "Macbeth." Shakespeare's classic tragedy. 8 p.m. Lansing. (517) 319-6929, cityofeastlansing.com. Events Bloody Marys. Breakfast all day. 3-9 p.m. The $15/$13 seniors and faculty/$10 students. Fairchild Zydecrunch. Live music. 9 p.m. FREE. Moriarty's Chocolate Party Benefit for MSU Museum. Avenue Cafe, 2021 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing. (517) Theatre, 542 Auditorium Road, East Lansing. Pub, 802 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing. (517) 485-5287. Sample chocolate masterpieces. 1:30-3:30 p.m. 492-7403, facebook.com/avenuecafe2021. 1-800-Wharton. theatre.msu.edu/macbeth. Capital City Brass Band Concert. Previewing $30-$75. Kellogg Conference Center, 219 S. Harrison Comedy Night. No cover. $1 off everything. 7 p.m. "The Best Brothers." (See Feb. 19 for details.) their national championship program. 7 p.m. FREE. Road, East Lansing. (517) 355-2370. museum.msu. The Green Door, 2005 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing. 8 p.m. $27. Williamston Theatre, 122 S. Putnam, Grand Ledge High School, 820 Spring St., Grand edu. (517) 482-6376, greendoorlive.com. Williamston. (517) 655-7469, williamstontheatre.org. Ledge. (517) 925-5356, capitalcitybrassband.com. Lansing Area Sunday Swing Dance. Lessons Pokemon/Magic the Gathering Card 6-6:30 p.m., dance 7-10 p.m. $8 dance/$10 dance & Games. Tutorials for kids. Starter decks provided. lesson/FREE for students. The Lansing Eagles, 4700 Everybody Reads, 2019 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing. Theater N. Grand River Ave., Lansing. (517) 490-7838. (517) 346-9900, facebook.com/everybodyreads. Sunday Concerts: Cliff Gracey. Live Saturday, February 21 "A Streetcar Named Desire." (See Feb. 20 for Atheists and Humanists Meeting. Discussion. performance. 1-2 p.m. FREE. East Lansing Public Classes and Seminars details.) 8 p.m. $15/$5 students/$10 seniors, LCC 5 p.m. FREE, $10.20 buffet optional. Old Great Wall Library, 950 Abbot Road, East Lansing. (517) 351- Tai Chi in the Park. Free class for beginning staff and alumni. Dart Auditorium, LCC Campus, Restaurant, 4832 W. Saginaw Highway. Lansing. (517) 2420, elpl.org. and experienced tai chi players. Now at winter 500 N. Capitol Ave. Lansing. (517) 483-1546, lcc.edu/ 914-2278, atheists.meetup.com/453. Downton Abbey Afternoon Tea. Celebrate the location. 9-10 a.m. FREE. Allen Market Place, 1619 E. showinfo. My Ladys Night on the Town. A night of R&B. end of Downton Abbey Season 5. 3-5 p.m. FREE. Kalamazoo St., Lansing. (517) 272-9379. "The Best Brothers." (See Feb. 19 for details.) Live performances. 9 p.m. Ladies FREE/guys $5. Domestic Violence Support Group. Noon-1:30 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Matinee $24, evening $27. Brannigan Brothers, 210 S. Washington Square, p.m. FREE. Women's Center of Greater Lansing, Williamston Theatre, 122 S. Putnam, Williamston. Lansing. (313) 218-9685. See Out on the Town, Page 20 1710 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing. (517) 372-9163, (517) 655-7469, williamstontheatre.org. womenscenterofgreaterlansing.org. "Macbeth." (See Feb. 20 for details.) 8 p.m. Jonesin' Crossword By Matt Jones Home Buyer Education Workshop. Registration $15/$13 seniors and faculty/$10 students. Fairchild required. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. $25. Center for Financial Theatre, 542 Auditorium Road, East Lansing. Health, 3815 West St. Joseph, Suite B200, Lansing. 1-800-Wharton, theatre.msu.edu/macbeth. "Solve Like a Pirate"- (517) 708-2550, centerforfinancialhealth.org. "Long Lost Stories." Featuring Madcap Puppet -and sound like one, Lansing Symphony: Wicked Divas. Broadway Theatre. 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. $9. Wharton Center, too. and beyond. 8 p.m. $20-$47. Wharton Center, 750 E. Shaw Lane, East Lansing. (517) 432-2000, 750 E. Shaw Lane, East Lansing. (517) 487-5001. whartoncenter.com. Matt Jones lansingsymphony.org. Mid-Michigan Genealogical Society. Intro to Literature and Poetry Across resources at the MI archives. 11 a.m. FREE. Michigan Charles P. Graham Signing. Signing "Survive! Library and Historical Center, 702 W. Kalamazoo St., 1 Cavatappi and capellini Marooned on Planet Tau Ceti G." 1 p.m. FREE. 7 Poe title word Lansing. (517) 373-1300. mmgs.wordpress.com. Barnes and Noble, 5132 W. Saginaw Highway, 10 Rejections Lansing. (517) 327-0437, bn.com. Events 13 Detach, in a way Gallery Tours. "Seeing China" gallery tours. 11:30 14 "Free Willy" creature a.m. FREE. MSU Museum, 409 W. Circle Drive, East 15 Decide (for) Lansing. (517) 884-6897, museum.msu.edu. Sunday, February 22 16 The color of believing Karaoke. With Atomic D. 9 p.m. LeRoy's Classic Classes and Seminars you can fly? Bar & Grill, 1526 S. Cedar St., Lansing. (517) 482- Juggling. Learn how to juggle. 2-4 p.m. FREE. 18 Dead heat 0184. Orchard Street Pumphouse, 368 Orchard St., East 19 Airline since 1948 Watercolor Wonder. Use watercolors and white Lansing. (517) 371-5119, [email protected]. 20 Drags space to create designs. 1-3 p.m. FREE. ELPL 2.0 Spiritual Talk, Pure Meditation and Silent 21 Stood Maker Studio, 300 MAC Ave., East Lansing. (517) 351- Prayer. 7 p.m. FREE. Self Realization Meditation 23 Flag thrower 2420, elpl.org. Healing Centre, 7187 Drumheller Road, Bath. (517) 24 Extreme Burning Desires Art Exhibit. Exploration of 641-6201, selfrealizationcentremichigan.org. 25 Not often love, desire and romance. Noon-3 p.m. FREE. MICA Lansing Area Codependents Anonymous. 27 Garfield's call when 51 Free-for-all 6 1970s space station redone for "Donnie Gallery, 1210 N. Turner St., Lansing. (517) 371-4600, Third floor meeting room. 2-3 p.m. FREE. CADL Jon has fallen? 52 Utah city 7 Media packet Darko" micagallery.org. Downtown Lansing Library, 401 S. Capitol Ave., 30 Come from behind 54 Formally give up 8 "Riunite on ___, Riunite 38 Evidence with a twist? Chinese-language Tours of "Future Lansing. (517) 515-5559, coda.org. 33 "Get away, stranger!" 55 Mean Amin so nice" 40 Demand that some- Returns." Student led tours. 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Michigan Reptile Identification. See live (from a cat) 56 Food advertised 9 Comb challenges one will FREE. Broad Art Museum, 547 E. Circle Drive, reptiles to learn identification and habits. 3-4 p.m. with the line: "Keep on 10 Comfortably sized 41 Hit the plus button MSU Campus, East Lansing. (517) 884-0659, $3/$7 family. Harris Nature Center, 3998 Van Atta 34 "Transformers" direc- broadmuseum.msu.edu. Road, Okemos. (517) 349-3866, meridian.mi.us. tor Michael Truckin'... and Snackin'"? 11 Conflicts in China 43 "Bravissimo!' 35 "Y" wearers 59 Took a chair 12 Instructions part 44 Throat clearing sound 36 Hit 60 Story 14 Nonprofit's URL suffix 45 Three or five, but not SUDOKU INT ERMEDIATE 38 Harrowing 61 It's west of the Urals 17 Knowledgeable sort threeve 39 Meadow sound 62 Muddy home 22 Like unmatched socks 48 Gunpowder alterna- TO PLAY 40 Epps of "Resurrec- 63 Word before Spice 24 Make onion rings tive tion" or Navy 26 Apart from that 49 Expert Fill in the grid so that every 41 Feeling of insecurity 64 Turns back to 00000 27 Ice Bucket Challenge 50 Positive feedback 42 Creature surrounded cause, for short 51 Word before any U.S. row, column, and outlined by bamboo and other 28 Bird sound state Down trees? 29 Turgenev's turndown 53 Wish you could take 3-by-3 box contains the 1 Less contaminated 46 Bathroom buildup 30 2000s sitcom set in back 2 Foot holder numbers 1 through 9 exactly 47 1963 Paul Newman Texas 54 Lightning McQueen's 3 Wheat amount movie 31 Worried by movie once. No guessing is required. 4 Driving money 48 "___ with Lovin'" 32 It's no asset 57 Ironman Ripken The solution is unique. 5 "You've Got Mail" (McDonald's promo of 36 "Peter Pan" role 58 Maestro's signal company February 2015) 37 Tears for Fears hit Answers on page 21 ©201 Jonesin’ Crosswords • For answers to this puzzle, call: 1-900-226-2800, 99 cents per minute. Must be 18+. Or to bill to your credit card, call: 1-800-655-6548. Ans wers Page 21 20 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • February 18, 2015

ext. 4, dtdl.org. DAN’S CONEY ISLAND/MEAT EXPANSION Out on the town Social Bridge. No partner needed. 1-4 p.m. $1.50. Delta Township Enrichment Center, 4538 Elizabeth Road, from page 19 Lansing, (517) 484-5600. Allan Ross/City Pulse Mac’s Monday Comedy Night. Hosted by Mark John Gjidoda (left) East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road, East Roebuck and Dan Currie. 9:30 p.m. FREE. Mac’s Bar, and his staff at Lansing. (517) 351-2420, elpl.org. 2700 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing. (517) 484-6795, macsbar. Dan’s Coney Island, Chinese-language Tours of "Future Returns." com. which opened last month on Lansing’s Student led tours. 2 p.m. FREE. Broad Art Museum, Club Shakespeare. 6-8:45 p.m. Donations. CADL south side. 547 E. Circle Drive, MSU Campus, East Lansing. (517) Downtown Lansing Library, 401 S. Capitol Ave., Lansing. 884-0659, broadmuseum.msu.edu. (517) 367-6300, cadl.org. Daddy Daughter Dance. Corsage, refreshments, Theater photograph. 7-9 p.m. $12/$10 Delta Township residents. "Macbeth." (See Feb. 20 for details.) 2 p.m. Crowne Plaza Lansing West, 925 S. Creyts, Lansing. $15/$13 seniors and faculty/$10 students. Fairchild (517) 323-8555, deltami.gov/parks. Theatre, 542 Auditorium Road, East Lansing. Homework Help. Free drop-in tutoring provided by 1-800-Wharton. theatre.msu.edu/macbeth. MSU's SMEA. K-8, 5-7 p.m. FREE. East Lansing Public "The Best Brothers." (See Feb. 19 for details.) Library, 950 Abbot Road, East Lansing. (517) 351-2420, By ALLAN I. ROSS restaurant business 21 years thought it might be too big 2 p.m. $24. Williamston Theatre, 122 S. Putnam, elpl.org. Just to be clear: There’s ago. He opened Hannah’s when I made it, but people Williamston. (517) 655-7469, williamstontheatre.org. BabyTime. Intended for ages 1-18 months with adult. nobody named Dan behind Koney Island in Hannah Plaza love it. It’s our most popular 10:30-11 a.m. FREE. East Lansing Public Library, 950 the scenes at Dan’s Coney with his former business burger. It’s a lot of meat.” Island — at least not now. partner, Anton Prenaj. Gjidoda SATURDAY FEB. 21 >> WICKED DIVAS The fledgling diner on left the partnership seven Bigger Meat Lansing’s south side may years ago to work for his And speaking of a lot of Enjoy favorite Broadway, opera and pop numbers sung by Elphaba and Glinda as the coincidentally hire brother at T&D Coney Grill in meat — or rather, a lot of Meat Lansing Symphony Orchestra presents Wicked Divas. Singers Emily Rozek and Nicole an eponymous Okemos. Prenaj, meanwhile, — last week Meat Southern member to its went on to open Athenas B.B.Q. and Carnivore Cuisine Parker will be performing in character as the witches from the Tony Award-winning New crew someday, Diner last year after selling opened its new 1,700-square- musical, “Wicked.” The diva-driven evening includes selections from “Wicked,” intown but no Dan Hannah’s Koney Island in foot dining room. That yet. 2013. (Hannah’s Koney Island, expansion more than triples “Gypsy,” “Funny Girl,” “Carmen” and more. 8 p.m. Tickets starting at $20. Wharton Instead, owner/ under new owner Bryan Van the footprint of the thriving Center, 750 E. Shaw Lane, East Lansing. (517) 487-5001, lansingsymphony.org. operator John Gjidoda came Curen, recently expanded its Old Town restaurant. The up with the name by taking hours and launched a new expansion comes with a new THURSDAY FEB. 26 >> AL SHARPTON AT MSU the first initial from each of dinner menu.) menu, extended hours and his three kids. Given that “I missed owning a the addition of a full bar. Outspoken and often controversial, the Rev. Al Sharpton will close out this year’s those three letters could have restaurant, so when this “We just got busier than also formed an acronym for opportunity came up, I took I thought we ever would,” Slavery to Freedom lecture series hosted by MSU’s College of Osteopathic the molecule that carries it,” Gjidoda said. “And I’ve been owner/operator Sean Johnson Medicine. A prominent social justice activist and National Action Network leader, the genetic instructions for able to do some new things said. Sharpton has dedicated his life to the advancing the cause of civil rights. He hosts life, a conjunction or a slang with the menu that I wasn’t nickname for a very sensitive able to do before.” Dan’s Coney Island the nationally syndicated radio show “Keepin’ it Real” and the MSNBC television body part, “Dan” seems like a Those new things include 5600 S. Pennsylvania Ave., show “PoliticsNation.” 7:30 p.m. FREE. Wharton Center, 750 E. Shaw Lane, East fine choice. a roster of inventive deli Lansing sandwiches, burgers and Lansing. (517) 432-4979. Gjidoda (pronounced 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday- “jee-DOE-dah”) opened Dan’s dinners. The produce and Saturday; 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Coney Island last month in meats are driven up from Sunday Abbot Road, East Lansing. (517) 351-2420, elpl.org. the former site of Grumpy’s Eastern Market in Detroit, and (517) 763-2720, Teen Movie Mania. Watch a blockbuster hit on the Diner, which closed early last all sauces, soups and gravies dansconeyisland.com Monday, February 23 library big screen. 3-5:30 p.m. FREE. East Lansing Public year. The building had been — including the sausage Classes and Seminars Library, 950 Abbot Road, East Lansing. (517) 351-2420, empty during the interim, gravy, which is used on the Meat Southern B.B.Q. and elpl.org. Learn to Meditate. Taught by Bob Teachout. Enter and when Gjidoda took over biscuits and gravy dish that Carnivore Cuisine French Club. Practice listening to and speaking French. at rear of building. 8:15-9 p.m. Donations. C. Weaver he revamped the interior. Gjidoda claims is the diner’s 1224 Turner St., Lansing 7-8 p.m. FREE. East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot biggest seller — come from Physical Therapy Exercise Studio, 1720 Abbey Road, He installed new kitchen 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday- Road, East Lansing. (517) 351-2420, elpl.org. equipment, ripped out the family recipes. Thursday; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. East Lansing. (517) 272-9379. Out of This World Book Club. "Soon I will Be carpeting and laid down new “The Super Meat Cheese Friday-Saturday; noon-7 p.m. Saints, Sinners & Cynics. Lively conversation, Invincible" by Austin Grossman. 7-8:30 p.m. FREE. East tile, put in new bathrooms Burger is the biggest burger Sunday variety of topics, no judgment. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road, East Lansing. I’ve ever had on a menu,” and gave both inside and (517) 580-4400, meatbbq.com FREE. Coral Gables, 2838 E. Grand River Ave., East (517) 351-2420, elpl.org. outside a fresh coat of paint. Gjidoda said. “It’s got ham, Lansing. (517) 882-9733, saintmichaellansing.org. Monday Movie Matinee. Movies intended for an adult Gjidoda got his start in the bacon, an egg, two patties — I Adult Rape Survivor Support Group. audience. 1 p.m. FREE. East Lansing Public Library, 950 Registration preferred. 6-7:30 p.m. FREE. Women’s Abbot Road, East Lansing. (517) 351-2420, elpl.org. 367-6300, cadl.org. Christian School, 3405 Belle Chase Way, Lansing. (517) Center of Greater Lansing, 1710 E. Michigan Ave., Speakeasies Toastmasters. Improve listening, 882-5779 ext. 107, lansingchristianschool.org. Lansing. (517) 372-9163. analysis, leadership and presentation skills. 12:05-1 p.m. Chair Massage. Call for an appointment. 9:30- Job Seekers Support Group. Finding the right FREE. Ingham County Human Services Building, 5303 S. noon, $14/$12 members. Meridian Senior Center, career. 10 a.m.-noon. FREE. Women’s Center of Tuesday, February 24 Cedar St., Lansing. (616) 841-5176. 4000 N. Okemos Road, Okemos. (517) 706-5045, Greater Lansing, 1710 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing. (517) Classes and Seminars Hopeful Hearts Grief Group. Learn, grow and heal meridianseniorcenter.weebly.com. 372-9163, womenscenterofgreaterlansing.org. Dinner with the Doc. Dinner with the Doc of Total together. 10-11 a.m. FREE. The Marquette Activity Room, Overeaters Anonymous. To support you in your Support Group. For the divorced, separated Health. 6:30 p.m. FREE. Carrabba's Italian Grill, 6540 W. 5968 Park Lake Road, East Lansing. (517) 381-4866. weight loss efforts. 7 p.m. FREE. Okemos Presbyterian and widowed. Room 9. 7:30 p.m. FREE. St. David’s Saginaw Highway, Lansing. (855) 681-2225, totalhealth- Not So Happy Endings Support Group. For women Church, 2258 Bennett Road, Okemos. (517) 290-5163. Episcopal Church, 1519 Elmwood Road, Lansing. (517) fitness.com. ending relationships. 5:30-7:30 p.m. FREE. Women’s 323-2272, stdavidslansing.org. LCS Student Shadow Day. Students shadow a LCS Center of Greater Lansing, 1710 E. Michigan Ave., Events student. 8 a.m. FREE. Lansing Christian School, 3405 Lansing. (517) 896-3311. Paws for Reading. Kids read to therapy dogs. Call Events Belle Chase Way, Lansing. (517) 882-5779 ext. 107, Take Off Pounds Sensibly. Have a support system, to register. 11 a.m.-noon, FREE. Delta Township District Homeschool Connect. Activities for homeschooling lansingchristianschool.org. lose weight. 7 p.m. FREE to visit. Eaton Rapids Medical Library, 5130 Davenport Drive, Lansing. (517) 321-4014 families. 1-2:30 p.m. FREE. Delta Township District Lansing Area Codependents Anonymous. 5:45- Center, 1500 S. Main St., Eaton Rapids. (517) 543-0786. ext. 3, dtdl.org. Library, 5130 Davenport Drive, Lansing. (517) 321-4014 6:45 p.m. FREE. EVERYbody Reads Books and Stuff, Capital Sources for Businesses. An overview of Bible and Beer. Discussion of scripture in everyday ext. 3, dtdl.org. 2019 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing. (517) 515-5559, coda.org. funding sources. Noon-1 p.m. FREE. MSU Federal Credit settings. 6 p.m. FREE. Midtown Brewing Co., 402 Ancestry Club. Learn and share genealogy tips. Call Capital City Toastmasters Meeting. Learn public Union (Farm Lane Branch), 4825 E. Mt. Hope, East S. Washington Square, Lansing. (517) 482-0600, to register. 10 a.m.-noon, FREE. Delta Township District speaking and leadership skills. 7 p.m. FREE. CADL Lansing. (517) 483-1921, sbdcmichigan.org. Library, 5130 Davenport Drive, Lansing. (517) 321-4014 Downtown Lansing, 401 S. Capitol Ave., Lansing. (517) Lansing Christian Campus Tours. 9-11 a.m. Lansing See Out on the Town, Page 21 City Pulse • February 18, 2015 www.lansingcitypulse.com 21

Donations. Pennsylvania Ave. Church of God, 3500 S. Out on the town Pennsylvania Ave., Lansing. (517) 899-3215. Free Will Astrology By Rob Brezsny Feb. 18-24 Knitting and Crochet Group. All ages and levels from page 20 welcome. Some supplies on hand. 5-7 p.m. FREE. ELPL 2.0 ARIES (March 21-April 19): There are many different his life. That's not the endowment I would have wanted if Maker Studio, 300 MAC Ave., East Lansing. (517) 351-2420, facets to your intelligence, and each matures at a differ- I had been Chaucer. I'd never get any work done if I were [email protected]. elpl.org. "Sporcle Live!" Trivia. Win Crunchy's gift certificates. ent rate. So for example, your ability to think symboli- quaffing 16 glasses of wine every 24 hours. Couldn't I 7 p.m. FREE. Crunchy's, 254 W. Grand River Ave., East cally may evolve more slowly than your ability to think instead be provided with a regular stipend? Keep this Lansing. (517) 351-2506, crunchyseastlansing.com. Events abstractly. Your wisdom about why humans act the way story in mind, Libra, as you contemplate the benefits Rugby Practice. 7-8:15 p.m. $5. Gier Community Strategy Game Night. 18 and over. Learn and share they do may ripen more rapidly than your insight into or rewards that might become available to you. Ask for Center, 2400 Hall St., Lansing. (517) 483-4313, crisisrfc.com. favorite games. 5-7:30 p.m. FREE. Delta Township your own emotions. In the coming weeks, I expect one what you really need, not necessarily what the giver ToddlerTime. Ages 18-36 months listen to stories District Library, 5130 Davenport Drive, Lansing. (517) particular aspect of your intelligence to be undergoing a initially offers. 321-4014 ext. 4, dtdl.org. and music. 10:15-10:45 a.m. and 11-11:30 a.m. FREE. East growth spurt: your knowledge of what your body needs SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): To make the cocktail Open Workshop. Bike repair, bike safety and biking as Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road, East Lansing. and how to give it what it needs. known as Sex on the Beach, you mix together cranberry healthy exercise. 6-8 p.m. FREE. Kids Repair Program, (517) 351-2420, elpl.org. TAURUS (April 20-May 20): What is the proper blend juice, orange juice, pineapple juice, peach schnapps, 5815 Wise Road, Lansing. (517) 755-4174. Burning Desires Art Exhibit. Exploration of love, for you these days? Is it something like 51 percent plea- and vodka. There is also an alternative "mocktail" called Farmers Market at Allen Market Place. Locally desire and romance. Noon-5 p.m. FREE. MICA Gallery, sure and 49 percent business? Or would you be wiser to Safe Sex on the Beach. It has the same fruit juices, but grown, baked and prepared foods. 3-6:30 p.m. FREE. 1210 N. Turner St., Lansing. (517) 371-4600, micagallery.org. shoot for 49 percent pleasure and 51 percent business? I no alcohol. Given the likelihood that your inner teen- Allen Street Farmers Market, 1619 E. Kalamazoo St., Teen Game Haven. Play a variety of games; board, will leave that decision up to you, Taurus. Whichever way ager will be playing an important role in your upcoming Lansing. (517) 999-3911. cards and video. 3-5:30 p.m. FREE. East Lansing Public you go, I suggest that you try to interweave business and adventures, Scorpio, I recommend that you favor the Practice Your English. Practice listening to and Library, 950 Abbot Road, East Lansing. (517) 351-2420, pleasure as often as possible. You are in one of those Safe-Sex-on-the-Beach metaphor rather than the Sex- speaking English. 7-8:30 p.m. FREE. East Lansing Public elpl.org. action-packed phases when fun dovetails really well with on-the-Beach approach. At least temporarily, it's best Library, 950 Abbot Road, East Lansing. (517) 351-2420, Future Returns Documentary Film Series ambition. I'm guessing that you can make productive to show a bit of protective restraint toward the wild and elpl.org. Featuring "China Gate." 7 p.m. FREE. Broad Art connections at parties. I'm betting that you can spice up sometimes erratic juvenile energy that's pushing to be Ron Wilson of AFLAC at ANC. On low cost Museum, 547 E. Circle Drive, MSU Campus, East your social life by taking advantage of what comes to expressed. weatherization of doors and windows. 10 a.m.-noon, you through your work. Lansing. (517) 884-0659. broadmuseum.msu.edu. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): In Herman FREE. Allen Neighborhood Center, 1619 E. Kalamazoo St., GEMINI (May 21-June 20): In 1900, the world's most Melville's short story "Bartleby, the Scrivener," a lawyer Lansing. (517) 367-2468, allenneighborhoodcenter.org. renowned mathematicians met at a conference in Paris. hires a man named Bartleby to work in his office. At first Music Burning Desires Art Exhibit. Exploration of love, There the German whiz David Hilbert introduced his Bartleby is a model employee, carrying out his assign- Jazz Night. Live music. 7-10 p.m. FREE. Moriarty's desire and romance. Noon-5 p.m. FREE. MICA Gallery, master list of 23 unsolved mathematical problems. At ments with dogged skill. But one day everything begins Pub, 802 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing. (517) 485-5287. 1210 N. Turner St., Lansing. (517) 371-4600, micagallery.org. the time, no one had done such an exhaustive inven- to change. Whenever his boss instructs him to do a spe- Teen Crafternoon. Teens create a candy sushi craft. tory. His well-defined challenge set the agenda for cific task, Bartleby says, "I would prefer not to." As the Literature and Poetry 3-5:30 p.m. FREE. East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot math research throughout the 20th century. Today he's days go by, he does less and less, until finally he stops Tuesday Morning Book Club. Discuss "Elizabeth Road, East Lansing. (517) 351-2420, elpl.org. regarded as an influential visionary. I'd love to see you altogether. I'd like to propose, Sagittarius, that you take is Missing" by Emma Healey. 10:15-11:15 a.m. FREE. MSU Creative Writing Center. All types of writers come up with a list of your own top unsolved problems, inspiration from his slowdown. Haven't you done enough Delta Township District Library, 5130 Davenport encouraged to attend. 7:30-8:30 p.m. FREE. East Gemini. You now have extra insight about the catalytic for now? Haven't you been exemplary in your commit- Drive, Lansing. (517) 321-4014 ext. 4, dtdl.org. Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road, East Lansing. projects you will be smart to work on and play with dur- ment to the daily struggle? Don't you deserve a break (517) 351-2420, elpl.org. ing the coming years. in the action so you can recharge your psychospiritual National Ethnic History Month. Discussion. 6 p.m. CANCER (June 21-July 22): "Spanipelagic" is an batteries? I say yes. Maybe you will consider making this FREE. Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ, adjective scientists use to describe creatures that typi- your battle cry: "I would prefer not to." 125 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Lansing. (517) 282-2612, cally hang out in deep water but float up to the surface Wednesday, February 25 CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): "All life is an experi- pilgrimucc.com. on rare occasions. The term is not a perfect metaphori- Classes and Seminars ment. The more experiments you make the better." cal fit for you, since you come up for air more often than Drop-in Figure Drawing. Easels and drawing boards That's what American philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson Music that. But you do go through phases when you're inclined provided. 7-9:30 p.m. $5/$3 students. Kresge Art Center, advised. Even if you're not naturally inclined to see the to linger for a long time in the abyss, enjoying the dark 600 Auditorium Road, East Lansing. (517) 337-1170, Fusion Shows presents. Live music. 21-up. 10 p.m. potential wisdom of that approach, I invite you to play mysteries and fathomless emotions. According to my artmuseum.msu.edu. FREE. Crunchy's, 254 W. Grand River Ave., East Lansing. around with it for the next three weeks. You don't need reading of the astrological omens, that's what you've Family Storytime. Ages up to 6. Stories, rhymes and (517) 351-2506, crunchyseastlansing.com. to do it forever. It doesn't have to become a permanent been doing lately. Any day now, however, I expect you'll activities. 10:30 a.m. FREE. CADL South Lansing Library, MSU Faculty Recital. Chen-Yu Huang, harp. 7:30 p.m. fixture in your philosophy. Just for now, experiment with 3500 S. Cedar St., Lansing. (517) 367-6363. $10/$8 seniors/students FREE. Cook Recital Hall, Music be rising up from the Great Down Below and headed topside for an extended stay. the possibility that trying lots of experiments will lead Meditation. For beginners and experienced. 7-9 p.m. Building, 333 W. Circle Drive, East Lansing. (517) 353- you not just to new truths, but to new truths that are LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): When faced with a big deci- FREE. Vietnamese Buddhist Temple, 3015 S. Washington 5340. music.msu.edu. fun, interesting, and useful. Ave., Lansing. (517) 351-5866. Ukulele Jam. Learn how to play chords on the ukulele. sion, you might say you want to "sleep on it." In other words, you postpone your final determination until you AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): The art of the French Walk-In Wednesdays. Drop-In Art Class. All ages 6 p.m. FREE. Marshall Music, 3240 E. Saginaw St. gather more information and ripen your understanding Aquarian painter Armand Guillaumin (1841-1927) appears welcome. 4:30-5:30 p.m. FREE ($5 suggested donation). Lansing. (517) 337-9700, marshallmusic.com. of the pressing issues. And that could indeed involve get- in prestigious museums. He isn't as famous as his fel- Reach Studio Art Center, 1804 S. Washington Ave., low Impressionists Paul Cézanne and Camille Pissarro, Lansing. (517) 999-3643, reachstudioart.org. ting a good night's sleep. What happens in your dreams Theater but he wielded a big influence on them both. His career En Garde! MSU Fencing Club. MSU Libraries hosts live may reveal nuances you can't pry loose with your waking "Macbeth." (See Feb. 20 for details.) 7:30 p.m. developed slowly because he had to work a day job to fencing demo. 6:30-8:30 p.m. FREE. MSU Library, MSU consciousness alone. And even if you don't recall your $15/$13 seniors and faculty/$10 students. Fairchild earn a living. When he was 50 years old, he won a wad Campus, 366 W. Circle Drive, East Lansing. (517) 884-0901, dreams, your sleeping mind is busy processing and Theatre, 542 Auditorium Road, East Lansing. of free money in the national lottery, and thereafter lib.msu.edu. reworking the possibilities. I recommend that you make 1-800-Wharton. theatre.msu.edu/macbeth. devoted himself full-time to painting. I'm not saying you Alcoholics Anonymous. A closed step meeting. 6 p.m. liberal use of the "sleep on it" approach in the coming weeks, Leo. Revel in the wisdom that wells up in you as will enjoy a windfall like that anytime soon, Aquarius, but CROSSWORD SOLUTION you're lying down in the dark. such an event is possible. At the very least, your income SUDOKU SOLUTION VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): In 1962, Edward Albee could rise. Your odds of experiencing financial luck will From Pg. 19 increase to the degree that you work to improve the From Pg. 19 published his play *Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?* It won numerous awards and is still performed by modern best gifts you have to offer your fellow humans. theater groups. Albee says the title came to him as he PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): "It isn't normal to know was having a beer at a bar in New York City. When he what we want," said pioneering psychologist Abraham went to the restroom, he spied the words "Who's Afraid Maslow. "It is a rare and difficult psychological achieve- of Virginia Woolf?" scrawled in soap on the mirror. I ment." That's the bad news, Pisces. The good news is urge you to be alert for that kind of inspiration in the that you may be on the verge of rendering that theory coming days, Virgo: unexpected, provocative, and out irrelevant. In the coming weeks, you will be better of context. You never know when and where you may primed to discover what you really want than you have be furnished with clues about the next plot twist of your been in a long time. I suggest you do a ritual in which life story. you vow to unmask this treasured secret. Write a formal LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Edward III, a medieval statement in which you declare your intention to achieve English king, had a favorite poet: Geoffrey Chaucer. In full understanding of the reasons you are alive on this 1374, the king promised Chaucer a big gift in appreciation planet. for his talents: a gallon of wine every day for the rest of

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. 22 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • February 18, 2015 HE ATE SHE ATE Piazzano's offers 'pub grub' and beyond Blue collar charm Scene-stealing meatballs By MARK NIXON By GABRIELLE JOHNSON Standing in Piazzano’s parking lot, I looked across Grand River Avenue at a dark- The first time we went to Piazzano’s for dinner, we weren’t exactly sure where we ened, silent lumber yard. It struck me that Piazzano’s is like several other Lansing were going. On Grand River Avenue, just west of Turner-Dodge House in a stand-alone restaurants — Art’s Bar, DeLuca’s and Harry’s Place come to mind — that sprung from building? It wasn’t ringing any bells. But as we drove down the street, the absolutely this town’s industrial taproot. packed parking lot was a dead giveaway. We walked in through the door on the west side These are neighborhood joints, unremarkable looking blue-collar islands far from of the building and were momentarily befuddled when we couldn’t find a hostess to tell the clustered restaurant districts of downtown Lansing, East us where to sit. We eventually took steps toward the one empty booth Lansing or suburban shopping malls. You have to figure that these Piazzano's in the restaurant and were reassured when a waitress motioned for us modest dining islands have something going for them, or they’d 1825 N. Grand River Ave., Lansing to sit down. For once, the boyfriend and I weren’t ravenous to the point of have faded from the scene long ago. 7 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday; What keeps Piazzano’s ticking is a faithful clientele, above-aver- sniping at each other, and we decided to share a salad and a pizza. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday age pub grub at an affordable price, and a waitstaff that is prompt The Antipasta Salad ($7.95) is a platter filled with shredded iceberg (517) 484-9922, piazzanos.com and, in my experience, unfailingly polite. lettuce, topped with sliced provolone cheese (of the Kraft singles You will not find wildly imaginative cuisine at Piazzano’s. The FB, TO, OM, RES, WiFi, $-$$ variety), recently packaged ham, salami and capicola, with a few wildest, craziest thing on the menu is an appetizer: Their Reuben cherry tomatoes, pepperocini, rings of red onion and a dish of overly Rolls ($6.99) feature slices of corned beef, swiss cheese and sauerkraut tucked into sweet vinaigrette dressing. I think that an Antipasta Salad gives Italian restaurants an phyllo dough and deep fried. opportunity to shine. Spend a little more money on quality ingredients, make your own What you will often find here are meals prepared with attention to detail. One vinaigrette with a vinegar that has a little bite to it, and chop all the ingredients together night, I opted for their regular Friday special, prime rib. I ordered the “queen” cut, a so that the vibrant colors are highlighted and allow me to eat with my eyes before the 12-ounce slab of beef ($16.95). I asked for it rare, and dish is even presented. This Antipasta Salad was not rare it came — but with a blackened, spiced-up crust that. It was quite the opposite. on the edges. Just the way I like it. This is arguably the Our 12 inch House Special pizza ($13.99) didn’t fare best prime rib I’ve eaten in greater Lansing. On a much better. The extremely dry crust was topped with previous visit, I had the Five Cheese Mac and Cheese pepperoni, onion, ham, green onions and mozzarella, with a sausage add-on ($13.98). The blend of cheeses all of which were serviceable, but I sucked down about and the crisp, browned crumb topping were perfect a gallon of water just to get the crust down. Service was for a bitterly cold evening. I should have skipped the fine but unremarkable. What was remarkable was the sausage, though. It’s the typical, boring sausage chunks atmosphere in the place — people were eating dinner to you get on just about any sausage pizza. I’d recommend be sure, but others were just hanging out, spending time Piazzano’s instead use quality bratwursts that are first with their friends at their neighborhood joint. I like that. boiled, then broiled or browned and finally cut into On our next visit, this time with friends, we started bite-size chunks. with two appetizers — the Reuben Rolls ($6.99) and During the same visit, Judy had the wild mushroom Piazzano’s Meatballs ($6.99). The Reuben Rolls were pasta ($12.99). It was an excellent choice. The nuttiness six deep-fried, two-bite Reuben sandwiches, served with of the mushrooms meshed well with an understated, Thousand Island dressing. Reuben sandwiches are one creamy Alfredo sauce. It is the single best thing I tasted of my favorites, and these mini versions were fresh and in our two visits. fabulous. The meatballs, however, stole the show — the This was the night when we tried the aforemen- Gabrielle Johnson/City Pulse three giant beauties were topped with a light coat of tioned Reuben Rolls. Though I’m a fan of corned beef Piazzano’s in North Lansing serves a variety of Italian marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese. The meatballs and sauerkraut, I gave these a C+. Judy, who doesn’t favorites and traditional pub fare. were juicy, a little bit spicy, and just barely held together care much for sauerkraut, loved them. Go figure. with fresh breadcrumbs. If these were nestled into a Our friends Bruce and Jan are Piazzano’s regulars, foot-long crusty baguette, they would make for a heav- with Bruce declaring it “the best pub grub in town.” They dined with us on our second enly meatball sub fit for Andre the Giant. visit. Bruce had his favorite, baked spaghetti ($9.99), and I agreed with him that the For dinner I chose a special of mussels and shrimp with chopped tomatoes and green meaty marinara sauce really made this dish. onions over linguini ($14.95). The entrée came with salad and bread, and I would have Most meals come with a small loaf of warm bread, plus a small platter of olive oil been better served by sticking with meatballs, salad and bread. The linguini dish was ut- with a dab of marinara sauce swimming in the middle. I could have done without the terly tasteless, completely unseasoned, and there was a literal pound of it. There was no spicy marinara, but the saucy sauce was a hit with Judy. sauce to speak of on the pasta, and after a few bites of the grocery-store variety linguini I I’m less enthusiastic about the two kinds of soups I tasted. I ordered the always- set down my fork and ate all the mussels. The rest of the dish languished in the refrigera- on-the-menu Michigan bean soup ($3.29 for a cup). It arrived piping hot (good), but tor until it was tossed into the trash several days later. I didn’t understand the need to add potatoes to the beans. It’s a hearty soup, and no The boyfriend was happier with his choice of BBQ Chicken Pizza. The chunks of doubt a favorite with many. For my money, the best bean soup in town is at Art’s. chicken were thick and plentiful, the BBQ sauce was tangy, and the pizza crust was Judy and Jan both ordered the Friday night soup du jour, crab bisque ($3.29). starkly different than that of our first visit. It was obviously the same recipe, but didn’t They loved it; I did not. What I tasted was probably imitation crab. When I occasion- stick in our throats on the way down. If this is how pizza is normally made at Piazzano’s, ally make crab bisque or crab cakes, I splurge by buying quality, lump crab meat. It’s I understand why the place was again positively jam-packed with diners. expensive, which is probably why many restaurants don’t use it, but you really can taste Our friends had a buffalo chicken wrap — which didn’t have any actual buffalo sauce the difference. and was just fried chicken, cheese, and iceberg lettuce in a tortilla — and a Buffalo There are things that make Piazzano’s stand above standard pub grub. One is their Style Burger, which purported to be mixed with jalapeño peppers, Louisiana hot sauce, nightly specials, which include Wednesday’s turkey dinner. They cook whole turkeys a onions, and pepper jack cheese. Our spicy food-loving friend said it was “kind of spicy, See He Ate, Page 23 See She Ate, Page 23 City Pulse • February 18, 2015 www.lansingcitypulse.com 23

awareness is the biggest hurdle for winter year-round market was an easy decision. He Ate markets. “We have vendors — bakers and butchers, Perpetual harvest “I talk to people all the time who don’t even for example — whose product demands they from page 22 know we have an indoor market,” she said. sell every week,” he said. “Since we have the Lansing farmers markets Ferguson said the market pulls in 900 building, we decided to move forward with a la Thanksgiving. For $7.95, you get turkey, offer fresh food year-round customers per day during the peak of the year-round market.” mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing and a summer season. In the winter, that number A handful of other Greater Lansing farm- By TY FORQUER dips significantly. This winter they are aver- ers’ markets are open through the winter. salad. Now, that’s a deal. When there is snow on the ground and ice aging close to 200 customers per day. Downtown’s Lansing City Market is open Incidentally, when you get your bill, at on the roads, not many people are thinking “Last winter we averaged 100 per day,” she year-round. A few area markets without per- the bottom they promote the next night’s about fresh vegetables. A growing number of said. “It’s definitely growing.” manent buildings find temporary homes for special (e.g. the turkey dinner). This Lansing-area farmers markets, however, are Despite the decrease in foot-traffic, Fer- through the cold months. The Bath Farm- “Check out tomorrow’s specials” tagline is providing customers guson finds that the vendors are happy to be ers Market moves into the Bath Community smart advertising. Winter farmers with a place to pick open through the winter. Center for the winter months, and the Me- And now to the service, which I thought markets up locally produced “We give them an opportunity to sell when ridian Township Farmers Market takes up was exemplary. On our first visit, Christin Allan Street Farmers foods through the Market otherwise there wouldn’t be one,” she said. residence near JCPenney inside the Merid- was patient and polite despite our raft of 3-6:30 p.m. Wednesdays winter months. “Most of the winter vendors are regular sum- ian Mall. questions. She even ranked her personal Allan Market Place The Allan Street 1629 E. Kalamazoo St., mer vendors, and they jumped at the chance preferences on the various Piazzano Roll Farmers Market Lansing to sell through the winter.” appetizers (Reuben Rolls are one of several (517) 367-2468, takes over the Al- allenmarketplace.org/ The Holt Farmers Market, which is open kinds you can order). lan Neighborhood farmers-market/ every Saturday, recently made the transition On the next visit our server was Nata- Holt Farmers Market Center parking lot to a year-round market. Housed in the for- sha. It was a Friday evening, and Piaz- 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays during the summer 2150 Cedar St., Holt mer Delhi Township Fire Department build- (517) 268-0024, months, but when zano’s was soon packed. Natasha was busy ing, the market is in the middle of its first presents — slammed, as they say in the business. holtfarmersmarket.org the weather gets Bath Farmers Market winter season. colder the vendors But she and her fellow servers took it all in 3-6 p.m. Thursdays At its summer peak, the Holt Farmers stride, delivering food and clearing tables Bath Community Center move indoors for the 5959 Park Lake Road, Market hosts nearly 30 vendors, spilling out Allan Market Place. with great efficiency. Bath into the parking lot. In the winter, their in- (515) 994-0236, shopbfm. Smells of warm That takes not only practice, but a door space hosts a more modest 15 vendors. org soup and fresh bread, mindset. You might call it a blue-collar Meridian Township Chuck Grinnell, market manager, has no- PUB Farmers Market served up by East mentality. ticed a drop in foot traffic, but not as drastic 10 a.m.-2 p.m. First and Lansing Food Co-op, third Saturdays of the as the drop at Allan Street. greet market visitors month “We’re getting 60 to 70 percent of the foot Meridian Mall, JCPenney on a cold Wednesday She Ate corridor traffic we get in the normal season,” he said. TRIVIA afternoon. Jazzy clar- 1982 West Grand River For Grinnell, making the transition to a Ave., Okemos inet music streams from page 22 (517) 712-2395, meridian. mi.us from AMP’s loft. The hosted by but not really.” He liked his chicken noodle Lansing City Market most important ele- soup much better, however, and the waitress 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday- ment of a farmers Friday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. was eager to tell us that the cooks made it Saturday; closed Sunday market is, of course, themselves. and Monday the food. And there is 325 City Market Drive, During both visits, the waitress tried Lansing plenty. her best to convince us to have a slice of the (517) 483-7460 ext. 234, “A lot of people lansingcitymarket.com “homemade” cheesecake. If you’ll indulge don’t realize you can my tangent, it really frosts my cookies when still get fresh produce Wednesdays starting at 7:30 p.m. restaurants are proud to label something in the winter,” said Kate Heflick. Craft beer and a mental “homemade.” When I go to a restaurant — Heflick, 26, is manning the table for Food- workout all in one! any restaurant — I want everything there to shed Farm, a certified organic farm in Bath. be homemade. I don’t expect to see pack- Foodshed Farm uses hoophouses to grow Kitchen open with aged cheesecakes from GFS and bagged spinach and salad greens through the winter. loaves of grocery store bread on the shelves Customers looking for fresh greens need to ll menu until 11:00 p.m. next to cans of soup and jars of pasta sauce. act fast though. The table was already sold 402 S. Washington Ave. (517) 977-1349 If I wanted to eat convenience foods, I could out when I stopped by at 5 p.m. (The market Sun-Wed 11 a.m.-11 p.m. do it at home, much more inexpensively. opens at 3.) Thurs-Sat 11 a.m.-midnight So quit with the “homemade” moniker, “It’s a shame there aren’t more people winter gardening,” said Heflick. PUB restaurateurs. I don’t expect my clients to be blown away when I tell them that their At a nearby table, Steve Grose looks out estate planning documents are drafted over a cornucopia of beans, potatoes, garlic and onions. The 57-year-old Onondaga resi- PUB correctly and their names are even spelled TRIVIA right. It’s just part of the deal. But I digress. dent owns Green Eagle Farm, a small farm Regardless, the homemade Snickers dedicated to “practicing sustainability and cheesecake certainly didn’t deserve any permaculture.” Despite the bounty available at his table, Grose said many people don’t TRIVIA accolades. The familiar cheesecake texture 1 think about going to farmers markets in the and the visually pleasing presentation, winter. I’m sure, have convinced other diners that Winter Clearance “They don’t realize that we have things they’re enjoying a special, decadent treat. stored that we can sell all winter,” he said. The cheesecake was indeed decadent, but While fresh fruits are scarce, many other Sale in Progress! the chocolate and caramel drizzles on top farmers market staples are still available couldn’t mask the totally milquetoast filling. through the winter. Vendors are selling fresh 25-40% OFF It hurts me to write this, since I know breads, baked goods, coffee beans and meat Please take advantage of our that many people truly love Piazzano’s. But products. over-enthusiasm for particular items. ORIGINAL PRICES if I want garden variety, inauthentic Italian Lizy Ferguson, manager of the Allan 211 M.A.C. Avenue, East Lansing 517.351.2211 mackerelsky.com food, I’ll make it myself. Street Farmers Market, thinks that public 24 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • February 18, 2015 THE PULSIFIEDS BACKPAGE CLASSIFIEDS

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THE EAST LANSING FOOD CO-OP AND ALLEN NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER PRESENT

THIRD ANNUAL CAPITAL AREA CSA FAIR Sunday, February 22 – Noon to 4 p.m. at Allen Market Place at 1629 East Kalamazoo, Lansing Learn what local CSAs o er, where they drop o , how much a share costs, and why CSAs are a great way for community members to support local farmers. For a list of participating farms, visit www.elfo.coop.

4960 Northwind Dr., East Lansing | 517-337-1266 | Mon–Sat 9-9, Sun 10-8 | www.elfco.coop