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Have something to say VOL. 17 Letter to the editor about a local issue Time to ask hard questions of BWL or an item that appeared ISSUE 36 Opposition to the Board of Water and and solar plants in our pages? (517) 371-5600 • Fax: (517) 999-6061 • 1905 E. Michigan Ave. • Lansing, MI 48912 • www.lansingcitypulse.com Light’s (BWL’s) plans to build a new gas- built from scratch Now you have two ways to fired power plant in Lansing appears to have now offer the cheap- sound off: ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: (517) 999-5061 fallen on deaf ears. The BWL Commission est power available, or email [email protected] approved the bidding unanimously. The even counting old 1.) Write a letter to the editor. PAGE CLASSIFIEDS: (517) 999-6704 • E-mail: letters@ mayor doesn’t have any problems with BWL’s coal, which was long lansingcitypulse.com EDITOR AND PUBLISHER • Berl Schwartz • Snail mail: City Pulse, 1905 13 plans and the city council can’t stop it. So, seen as unbeatable.” E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, [email protected] • (517) 999-5061 unless things change during the bidding pro- BWL should con- MI 48912 Famous bassist comes to MSU cess, Lansing will soon be the proud owner sider new energy • Fax: (517) 371-5800 ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR • Skyler Ashley of a new $500 million gas plant, expected to technologies, while • At lansingcitypulse.com [email protected] • (517) 999-5068 2.) Write a guest column: EVENTS EDITOR • Ella Kramer run for 30 years. making use of some Contact Berl Schwartz for [email protected] • (517) 999-6704 A baby born today will be grown with chil- common cost-saving more information: PAGE PRODUCTION MANAGER • Abby Kelly [email protected] [email protected] dren of his or her own before we retire this programs that avoid or (517) 999-5061 plant. Do we really think that in 30 years, using power during 6 (517) 999-5066 (Please include your name, STAFF WRITERS • Lawrence Cosentino we’re still going to be cracking open the earth peak times, help address and telephone number [email protected] so we can reach you. Keep A walking tour of Lansing’s Baker neighborhood for natural gas (fracking)... at prices we can customers increase letters to 250 words or fewer. Todd Heywood afford? (Note that the $500m is just for con- efficiency, and dis- City Pulse reserves the right to [email protected] edit letters and columns.) struction... that doesn’t include the fuel costs.) tribute energy gen- SALES EXECUTIVE In other places around the country, eration across their service area to make the PAGE Lee Purdy • [email protected] • (517) 999-5064 plans for natural gas plants are coming to grid less vulnerable to outages. 17 Contributors: Andy Balaskovitz, Justin Bilicki, Daniel a screeching halt. Arizona, not a bastion of Lansing residents should be concerned E. Bollman, Capital News Service, Bill Castanier, tree-huggers, just placed a 9-month morato- about this waste of money. Contact Lansing Mary C. Cusack, Tom Helma, Gabrielle Lawrence WKAR’s Backstage Pass gives new music to the masses Johnson, Eve Kucharski, Terry Link, Andy McGlashen, rium on building gas plants. Last June, Los Mayor Schor and the City Council and ask Kyle Melinn, Mark Nixon, Shawn Parker, Stefanie Pohl, Angeles backed away. Colorado is shifting to them to appoint BWL Commissioners who Dennis Preston, Allan I. Ross, Dylan Tarr, Rich Tupica, renewables and actually lowering people’s are independent and willing to ask manage- Ute Von Der Heyden, David Winkelstern, Paul Wozniak bills! DTE Energy, here in Michigan, is under ment the hard questions. Cover Interns: Kelly Sheridan, Shruti Saripalli, intense scrutiny for proposing the same kind www.lansingenvironmentalactionteam. Sherry Min-Wang of gas plant. org for more. Art Distribution manager: Paul Shore • (517) 999-5061 Even the stolid New York Times just issued REBECCA PAYNE, Lansing By Keith Tucker Delivery drivers: Frank Estrada, Dave Fisher, Jack an opinion rather dreamily laying out the (Rebecca Payne is a member of the Lansing Sova, Richard Simpson, Thomas Scott Jr. wonderful new possibilities of alternatives Environmental Action Team.) to fossil fuels. “In parts of the country, wind Correction & Clarification Because of an editing error, the telephone number of the Lansing Mayor’s Office in last week’s column by Mayor Andy Schor was printed incorrectly. The correct number is (517) 483-4141. Also, Mayor Schor said he misspoke in an article last week on efforts to collect the city income tax. Schor said he should have said: “When I was in the legislature, we tried to run a bill that required business owners outside of the city to collect income taxes from residents. Detroit wanted it, and they said it would be able to capture millions of dol- lars, and that went nowhere fast because the Chamber opposed it, because they didn’t want their members to have to collect that.” City Pulse • April 18, 2018 www.lansingcitypulse.com 5 PULSE NEWS & OPINION Commerce “was just livid with me and the Bolstered by faith governor as well,” referring to John Engler, now the interim president of Michigan Restricting State University. DeWeese seeks political comeback “I didn’t even know what prevailing wage Paul DeWeese may be knocking on your your own bootstraps.’ That’s nonsense. I was,” DeWeese recalled, when the House gun rentals door soon for support in his bid to return to had to study hard, but if it wasn’t for private Republican caucus was debating it. But, he the state legislature. scholarships but especially the government said, “I went and talked to union workers Lawmaker takes action Meanwhile, though, the former House providing loans and scholarship grants, I and came to the conclusion to be on the side to close ‘loophole’ member from the Lansing area is knocking would never have been able to go to college” of public policy that supports workers earn- on other doors — to deliver packages for a or medical school. ing a living wage.” in Michigan laws commercial delivery service. DeWeese no longer buys into the quintes- The other issue was an anti-bullying bill If State Sen. Rick Jones gets his way, if you That’s quite a change in circumstance sentially Republican philosophy of the self- to protect gay students. “My caucus refused don’t have an authorization to purchase a for DeWeese, 62. Until three years ago, he made man overcoming obstacles by hard to support that, and I just remember being handgun, a background check or a concealed was a medical doctor operating two private work alone. so disappointed and angry. I said, ‘What pistol permit, you won’t be renting a gun in practices. He was raised a Republican — he said we’re doing here by not supporting this law Michigan. Now, he wears a red knit shirt bearing the his police-officer father belonged to the is saying it’s open season on gay students. Jones, R-Grand Ledge, who chairs the delivery service’s insignia. He drives a used Judiciary Committee, has asked for legis- white van delivering packages for Staples, lation to regulate gun rentals in Michigan Walmart and other companies. He gets $1 after a March 26 murder-suicide in Lansing per package. Some days he loads thousands Township was committed with a gun stolen of pounds. from a gun store. DeWeese, who served in the House from Lansing Township Police Chief Adam 1998 to 2002, surrendered his medical Kline confirmed that Timothy Olin, 30, stole license three years ago as part of settling the semiautomatic handgun after renting it a civil suit that alleged he had violated the from Total Firearms in Delhi Township. He federal Controlled Substances Act in his took the weapon to JoAnn Fabrics and Crafts addiction practice. on Saginaw Highway. Once there he killed DeWeese said he overprescribed opioids his estranged girlfriend, Rachel Duncan, 25, and other drugs because he was too “caring” then turned the weapon on himself. Duncan of patients, who sold their medications on had obtained a personal protection order the street in order to obtain heroin. from a local court against Olin. As a result, “I probably wasn’t the best suited to Duncan was not legally allowed to have a treat people with addiction,” DeWeese said, gun. “because on the scale of wariness vs. care, I Since that happened, City Pulse has report- was way over on the care side.” Skyler Ashley/City Pulse ed that the facility’s rental controls were lax — DeWeese faced bigger legal problems two Paul DeWeese, a former physician and state legislator, at the warehouse in Lansing something an attorney for the gun store has years ago, when he pleaded guilty to health where he loads his van to deliver packages on a route in Brighton. said will be addressed with upcoming securi- care fraud in a separate neuropathy prac- ty measures — and had previously rented a tice. He was sentenced to three years’ pro- gun to a convicted felon who used his prison bation and 250 hours of community service. ultra-conservative John Birch Society. You’ve got to be kidding. I’m ashamed.’” identification to complete the transaction. About $1 million is what the twin expri- He was elected twice to the House as a Another departure from his upbringing is “My first thoughts were: How could some- ences have cost him, when you add up fines, Republican from the suburban Lansing his Catholicism. one walk off a gun range with a rental gun restitution and legal fees, DeWeese esti- 67th District. He was the unsuccessful “My family was very anti-Catholic,” said so easily?” said Jones. “How can we stop bad mates. Republican nominee for the state Senate in DeWeese, but over time he found the social people from renting guns?” The delivery work fulfills a requirement 2002, losing to future Lansing Mayor Virg activism side of the religion appealed to So last week he met with representatives of of probation to have a job. He also receives Bernero. him. He even went to India to work with the Michigan State Police and the National a monthly Social Security payment. But several years ago, DeWeese Mother Teresa. Instant Background Check System to deter- DeWeese said the decline in income has switched sides. Today, he is running for His faith has also helped him endure his mine how legislation could address what been easier because he has “never really the Democratic nomination for the 68th fall from grace in the last few years. State Rep. Jon Hoadley, D-Kalamazoo called lived a lavish lifestyle.” state House seat, which Andy Schor gave “It has strengthened me,” DeWeese a “loophole” in Michigan’s gun laws. Indeed, it’s something of a return to his up after he was elected Lansing’s mayor said. “Humility is of great importance in Jones has requested draft language from upbringing, which he described as “low- last November. DeWeese lives in Lansing Catholicism.” the state’s Legislative Services Bureau, which er middle class,” with clothes from the Township near Waverly Road. “By confronting our own personal wrongs, Salvation Army. DeWeese said his doubts about being a you’re able to say, ‘I’m a fallible person. I’ve See Guns, Page 9 Raised in Grand Haven, DeWeese put Republican were sown while in the House made errors. I’ve made poor choices.’” himself through Hope College in Holland two decades ago. He recalled two issues that And in doing so, he added, you find “that’s and medical school at Wayne State put him on the road to reshaping his polit- not all you’re defined by. You’re not defined University, in both cases with considerable ical views. by the worst thing you’ve ever done.” help from government scholarships and One was prevailing wage, which he said “We’re a composite.” loans. Republicans wanted to repeal. “As a physician, I was one of the people “I fought for prevailing wage,” DeWeese —BERL SCHWARTZ they’d say, ‘You really pulled yourself up by said, even though the Michigan Chamber of 6 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • April 18, 2018

Habitat’s ReStore and auction them off. They trailer. needed a place to show the art and hold the Starr had already gone through about 120 Get behind the hot dog auction this November. hot dogs by the time I strolled by. “This would be a pretty cool place,” As kids ran past her to reload at the wag- Surprises liven up walking tour of Baker neighborhood Heidrich told Signs. on, Julie Durham, director of development They excitedly exchanged cards. for Habitat for Humanity, explained that I started my walking tour of Lansing’s Uno cards left by squatters. Classrooms like Nearby, a knot of onlookers watched as Habitat has targeted the Baker neighbor- plucky Baker neighborhood late Wednesday this will become one-bedroom apartments retired art teacher Helene Murray tipped a hood for two week-long revitalization pro- afternoon by flashlight, picking my way with sunlight, a fine view of Cedar Street and wine glass upside down to let vines of color grams in July and September. An army of through the broken toilets and random a chalkboard. drip downward. 150 to 200 volunteers will do home repairs debris of a cavernous 1925 school. I ended the “Ready to rent, anybody?” Van Fossen She was demonstrating alcohol inks that and painting, fix porches and windows, mow tour just before sundown, crouching behind asked. can be used to color hard surfaces like tile and edge lawns. a giant hot dog to dodge possible gunfire. Along Cedar Street in the Baker neighbor- and glass. “We’re working on this neighborhood There won’t be another Walking hood, you can feel the century-old urban fab- “Just push that brush around let it driz- because it needs it,” Durham said. “The crime Wednesday quite like last week’s showcase of ric stretching and morphing in slow motion. zle,” she told a woman bent in concentration rate is higher, the poverty rate is higher, home the troubled but plucky area centered on the ownership rates are lower, so there’s a lot of South Cedar Street corridor south of I-496. reasons statistically this neighborhood needs Lansing’s periodic neighborhood strolls, some help.” organized by the city’s neighborhoods depart- She was interrupted by shouting on the ment, are meant to showcase cool places, corner of Linval and Isbell streets, two houses connect residents with a range of services and away from our impromptu pocket park. help the area’s entrepreneurs and do-gooders Two men standing on the corner were network with each other. You can talk with arguing with a man (or men) in a van. Word a community police officer, find out about spread that one or more of the yelling men financial services, get information on health were waving guns. insurance and connect with other local orga- We crouched behind the hot dog wagon, nizations. putting six feet of wooden weiner between us There was nothing ordinary about the star and whatever was next. attraction of Wednesday’s tour — the hulking “We’re keeping it real here,” Durham Walter French Academy building at 1900 S. cracked. She hustled her husband away with Cedar St., a junior high school built in 1925. her young daughter. Vacant since 2008, the school’s sheer size “You want to take her and head — some- and craftsman-like beauty come as a shock, where?” even to locals who have never been inside. The minivan cruised past, with the win- The school was donated to the nonprof- dow open, and continued west. We cautious- it Capital Area Housing Partnership by its Lawrence Cosentino/City Pulse ly peeked over the hot dog and stood erect. owners, the Louis J. Eyde and George F. Eyde Artist Helene Murray drizzles ink on a wine glass at the former Dicker and Deal. Within 15 minutes, half a dozen patrol cars families, after being placed on the National lined the streets. Several officers were con- Historic Register in 2015. A block north of Walter French, a former at the table, painting a tile. “The colors are ferring calmly with the men on the corner. Rawley van Fossen of the Capital Area second-hand store at 1701 S. Cedar Street unstoppable.” It was past 8 o’clock and time for Walking Housing Partnership led us through the was showing off a new look. The building “Can you drink it?” someone asked, Wednesday to end, anyway. dark, debris-filled corridors, counting us off was a Kroger store in 1927 and Dicker and intrigued by the word “alcohol.” Unperturbed, Starr gave out the remaining at every dark turn, so nobody would be left Deal from 1973, until it grew out of the space “Depends on what color you want your 40 hot dogs to the neighbors, but they hus- behind. last year and moved to the old Coscarelli’s stomach.” tled away before he was finished with them. “Seven, eight, nine,” he murmured as we Restaurant space to the south. In a vacant lot, a few blocks from the aspir- “Wait. Need some ketchup and mustard?” entered the cavernous gymnasium. Mountains of carpet, old cabinets and ing gallery, hot dog man Tim Starr of Five The 200,000-square-foot school has inde- counters and accumulated junk have been Dog Starr was dispensing free frankfurters — LAWRENCE COSENTINO structible terrazzo flooring, fancy masonry, hauled from the first floor. The old gun from a seven-foot-long, hot-dog-shaped lots of heavy wood trim and ornate sculptural showroom is now a gallery popping with touches like lion heads you just don’t find in whimsical art by Tod Parkhill of Okemos. new builds. Stacy Potter, son of owner Gary Potter, said CITY OF EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN The new owners plan to turn it into “work- he hopes to convert the space into a gallery, NOTICE OF ADOPTION force housing,” for people and families at or with studios for artists above, “following the ORDINANCE NO. 1422 below the area’s median income, but Van trend of REO Town,” the resurgent Lansing Fossen is looking for ideas on what to do with neighborhood to the west. AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND SECTIONS 8-181 AND 8-182 OF DIVISION 1 - GENERALLY - OF ARTICLE IV - RESTAURANTS AND TAKE-OUT STORES OF CHAPTER 8 - BUSINESSES - OF the a snug, 500-seat auditorium and two Parkhill wants to be among the first stu- THE CODE OF THE CITY OF EAST LANSING huge gymnasiums, a beautiful 1925 original dio renters. “It’s the sort of project I’ve always and an addition built in the 1950s. wanted to run, but I’m a starving artist, so Please take notice that Ordinance No. 1422 was adopted by the East Lansing City Council at the About 30 people toured the building I’m hitching my wagon to this,” he said. regular meeting of the Council held on April 10, 2018, and will become effective immediately upon Wednesday. Van Fossen heard a lot of sug- A woman and a man walked in off the the publication of the following summary of ordinance. gestions, including a restaurant/coffee shop street and quietly cased the room. The man SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE NO. 1422 with outdoor seating, a community theater, whispered two words to the woman: “Door a jazz club, a culinary school and a skilled jam.” THE CITY OF EAST LANSING ORDAINS: trades training site. Lansing City Futsal, a “Yes!” the woman replied. Ordinance 1422 amends Sections 8-181 and 8-182 by eliminating the requirement that restaurants local franchise for an indoor version of soc- The two visitors were Emily Heidrich serving alcohol have at least 50% of their gross sales in food and also eliminates the associated reporting requirement. cer, is looking at the gyms and Peppermint and Prince Solace of nearby Habitat for Creek Theatre Co. is looking into using the Humanity. A true copy of Ordinance No. 1422 can be inspected or obtained at the Office of the City Clerk at auditorium, according to Van Fossen. Heidrich told gallery manager Annie Signs City Hall, 410 Abbot Road, East Lansing, Michigan during normal business hours. We ended up in Room 207, a typical class- about “Door Jam,” a charity project where Jennifer Shuster room, now covered in cigarette butts and artists create projects from salvaged doors at City Clerk CP#18-089 City Pulse • April 18, 2018 www.lansingcitypulse.com 7

into a tabulator,” Byrum said. officials and DHS. But she is still on guard against an “If you want clear channels of communica- ‘Cowboy up’ ever-changing array of threats. tion, that’s relying on phone and Internet to “I’m learning about new and improved work, and that may not be the case,” Bryum Local clerks say they’re ready for the Russians cyberattacks and steps we can take to miti- said. gate that risk,” she said. “It would be foolish Byrum said her worst nightmare is “tech- The 2018 mid-term election showdowns Democracy and Technology, where Hall leads to say we are completely secure and safe.” nology down.” are drawing closer, with Russians lurking the Internet Architecture Project. Byrum said she is “absolutely not” satis- For the November 2016 election, she had behind every virtual tumbleweed. Lansing City Clerk Chris Swope sounded Local election officials say they’re ready for as if he were casually twirling a set of spurs high noon. emblazoned with the city seal. “I’m not terri- Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum said the bly worried,” he said. “I think Michigan has a 2018 elections will “absolutely” go forward, pretty good handle on it.” even if hackers take out the whole power grid. Swope’s staff isn’t blithely opening emails, In the event of a cyberattack, she said, paper though. ballots will be counted by battery-powered “We got a communication from the state tabulators — in candlelight, if necessary. Feb. 16 that some clerks had gotten some- According to cybersecurity expert Joseph thing that looked like a phishing attack,” Lorenzo Hall, local officials like Byrum “are Swope said. “It gave some hints on what can on notice that they are now on the front lines be a clue to a phishing scam.” of cybersecurity.” The ace in Michigan’s hand, Byrum said, is “We have to ‘cowboy up’ state and local elec- the state’s paper ballot system. tion officials to better deal with nation–state “When you vote in Michigan, there is threats,” Hall said last month in an interview always a paper that the voter takes and puts for the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Skyler Ashley/City Pulse Lansing City Clerk Chris Swope amid the city’s voting machines, stored at the South NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS Washington Office Complex. Swope says he is “not worried” about Russian hacking of EAST LANSING HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION the 2018 election. “Michigan has a pretty good handle on it.” Notice is hereby given of the following public hearings to be held by the East Lansing Historic District Commission on Thursday, May 10, 2018 at 7:00 p.m., in the 54-B District Court, Courtroom 2, 101 Linden Street, East Lansing. fied that she has a clear channel to the U.S. a two-way radio sitting on her desk, in case 1. A public hearing will be held for the purpose of considering a request from Kristin Department of Homeland Security. communications lines failed. Mahoney and Kaveh Askari, for the property at 1028 Chesterfield Parkway, to remove the In late March, the U.S. Senate Intelligence “In Ingham County, our phone, fax, email vinyl siding and shutters and the aluminum covering the windows in order to restore the original siding and wood framed windows beneath. The applicant is also proposing to add Committee released a set of recommenda- is all Internet based,” Byrum said. “If they wood shutters to resemble the original shutters. tions on ways to fight the expected onslaught took out our communication, we still know 2. A public hearing will be held for the purpose of considering a request from the Alumni of Russian hacking, including “clear channels how to write, and post things on windows, Corp of Beta Zeta, for the property at 453 Abbot Road, to install an ADA ramp on the left of communication” between local election side of the building that will be added to the existing patio deck. See Voting, Page 8

3. A public hearing will be held for the purpose of considering a request from Carrie Cargill, for the property at 142 University, to raze the existing garage and construct a new CITY OF EAST LANSING 24’x24’ garage. Additionally the applicant is proposing to add an addition to the rear of the structure that will not be visible from a public right-of-way. EAST LANSING CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING PUBLIC HEARING ON Call (517) 319-6930, the Department of Planning, Building and Development, East Lansing City PRELIMINARY FY2019 BUDGET AND TAX RATE Hall, 410 Abbot Road, East Lansing, for additional information. All interested persons will be given an opportunity to be heard. WHEREAS, a public hearing on the proposed budget for the City of East Lansing is The City of East Lansing will provide reasonable auxiliary aids and services, such as interpreters required by City Charter and the State Budget Law; and, for the hearing impaired and audio tapes of printed materials being considered at the meeting, to individuals with disabilities upon request received by the City seven (7) calendar days prior to the WHEREAS, a public hearing is required under the provisions of the Truth in Taxation Law; meeting. Individuals with disabilities requiring aids or services should write or call the Planning and, Department, 410 Abbot Road, East Lansing, MI 48823. Phone: (517) 319-6930. TDD Number: 1-800-649-3777. WHEREAS, the general appropriations act must set forth the total number of mills to be levied and the purposes for the millage; Jennifer Shuster City Clerk NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of East Lansing does hereby establish the date of Wednesday, May 9, 2018 at 7:00 p.m., in 54-B-Court Room 2, CP#18-092 City Hall, 410 Abbot in East Lansing, Michigan, as the date, time, and place for the required public hearing; and be it further resolved that for the purposes of the hearing it shall be assumed that the NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING total tax rate will be 22.1267 mills consisting of 17.5362 mills for operating purposes, 1.8250 EAST LANSING CITY COUNCIL mills for solid waste, 0.7715 mills for debt service, and 1.9940 mills for the Library pursuant to section 1 of 1877 PA164. Notice is hereby given of the following public hearing to be held by the East Lansing City Council on Wednesday, May 9, 2018 at 7:00 p.m., in the 54-B District Court, Courtroom 2, 101 Linden The property tax millage rate proposed to be levied to support the proposed budget will be Street, East Lansing: a subject of this hearing.

A public hearing will be held to consider a Site Plan and Special Use Permit The budget is available for public inspection at the East Lansing Library and City Clerk and Finance application from Hagan Group, LLC, for the properties at 525 and 533 Albert Office at City Hall; along with the City’s website: cityofeastlansing.com under Finance. Avenue, which are owned by GA Hurst, LLC. The applicant proposes to demolish the existing structures and construct a three-story town home structure containing Public comments, either oral or written, are welcome at the Public Hearing. The City of East Lansing 3 units with a full basement; each unit will have 7 bedrooms and be licensed for 7 will provide reasonable auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the hearing impaired and or 8 unrelated individuals or a family. audio tapes of printed materials being considered at this meeting upon seven (7) calendar days’ notice to the City of East Lansing. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services The City of East Lansing will provide reasonable accommodations, such as interpreters for the should write or call: Shelli Neumann, Human Resources Department, 410 Abbot Road, East Lansing, hearing impaired and audio tapes of printed materials being considered at this meeting, upon notice MI 48823, (517) 319-6893, TDD (517) 337-0767. to the City of East Lansing, prior to the meeting. Individuals with disabilities requiring reasonable accommodations or services should write or call the City Manager’s Office, 410 Abbot Road, East This notice is published by: Jennifer Shuster, City Clerk, City of East Lansing, Michigan, 410 Abbot Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 319-6920, TDD 1-800-649-377. Road, East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 319-6881

Jennifer Shuster City Clerk CP#18-090 CP#18-087 8 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • April 18, 2018

clerks like Swope test the ballot tabulation ple came in to vote — to the reported results. said that makes Russian hacking “not pos- programming done by Byrum’s office. “If those numbers don’t match, they figure sible.” Voting “Then everything is locked up until out, were there spoiled ballots? Did some- “The Russians cannot hack our system Election Day,” Byrum said. one walk away with a ballot?” Byrum said. because election results do not go through from page 7 When the polls close, tabulators count the In Ingham County and Lansing, the vul- the Internet,” he said. “They are all processed but communicating to the area would have votes and store the ballots. Unofficial results nerable points in the process, where data and transmitted through secure channels.” really been difficult.” are uploaded to Byrum’s election computer, is transferred via computer, are either not Nevertheless, Byrum hopes the feds The day before the 2016 presidential elec- which generates a report that is transferred hooked to the Internet, or they are han- will follow through on the Intelligence tion, the state’s Bureau of Elections asked to the Internet to report the results. dled via encrypted VPNs, or Virtual Private Community’s recommendations. every county clerk to check in, using the “As many controls as Ingham County Networks. “It would be nice to have a main contact radio. could put on it, I have put on it,” Byrum said. “Our programming for our ballots is not with DHS or have them be able to contact “It was like, ‘Dee-deet! Ingham County!’” There are post-election safeguards as on line,” Swope said. “The computer we use us directly without having to use Google,” Byrum said. “But that’s very limited. Michigan well. The day after the election, the Ingham to put the result on thumb drives — the she said. has 83 counties. Think of 83 county clerks on County Board of Canvassers, two Democrats equipment has never been connected to the Cybersecurity expert Hall urged the feds that little radio channel.” and two Republicans, compare the poll Internet.” About a month before the election, local books — written records of how many peo- Meridian Township clerk Brett Dreyfus See Voting, Page 9

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS EAST LANSING CITY COUNCIL CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF LANSING SYNOPSIS OF PROPOSED MINUTES

Notice is hereby given of a public hearing to be held by the East Lansing City Council on Tuesday, A REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF April 24, 2018 at 7:00 P.M., at East Lansing City Hall, Courtroom 2, for: LANSING WAS HELD AT THE TOWNSHIP OFFICES LOCATED AT 3209 WEST MICHIGAN AVENUE, LANSING, MICHIGAN ON TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2018, AT 7:00 P.M. • Ordinance 1427, an ordinance to provide for a service charge in lieu of taxes for a multiple family dwelling project for persons of low income to be financed or assessed pursuant to MEMBERS PRESENT: Supervisor Hayes, Clerk Aten, Treasurer Rodgers the provisions of the State Housing Development Authority Act of 1966 (1966 PA 346), as Trustees: Broughton, Harris, McKenzie, DeLay amended, MCL 125.1401 MEMBERS ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: Phil Clark, Attorney This ordinance pertains to the proposed service charge in lieu of taxes for the proposed renovation and addition to the Bailey Community Center, which is located at 300 Bailey Street, East Lansing, ACTION TAKEN BY THE BOARD: Michigan. Please note that all interested persons will be provided an opportunity to be heard, and Meeting called to order by Supervisor Hayes. written communications will be received and considered. Minutes of the meeting held on March 20, 2018 approved. Agenda approved. The City of East Lansing will provide reasonable accommodations, such as interpreters for the Adopted Ordinance 31.169: Amendments to Chapter 85 “G” General Business Zone and “H” hearing impaired and audio tapes of printed materials being considered at this meeting, upon notice Industrial Zone. to the City of East Lansing, prior to the meeting. Individuals with disabilities requiring reasonable Adopted Ordinance 31.170: Amendments to Chapter 84 – Parking and Loading Provisions. accommodations or services, please write or call the City Manager’s Office, 410 Abbott Road, East Adopted Resolution 18-11: Designating new polling location for Precinct 2. Lansing, MI 48823 (517/319-6920), TDD Scheduled public hearing and referred to Planning Commission for rezoning request PDR-18-4. (1/800/649-3777). Claims approved. Meeting adjourned. Jennifer Shuster City Clerk Diontrae Hayes, Supervisor Susan L. Aten, Clerk

CP#18-086

CP#18-088 ORDINANCE # 2603

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF LANSING, MICHIGAN, PROVIDING FOR THE REZONING OF NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS A PARCEL OF REAL PROPERTY LOCATED IN THE CITY OF LANSING, MICHIGAN AND FOR EAST LANSING PLANNING COMMISSION THE REVISION OF THE DISTRICT MAPS ADOPTED BY SECTION 1246.02 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES. Notice is hereby given of the following public hearings to be held by the East Lansing Planning Commission on Thursday, May 3, 2018 in the 54-B District Court, Courtroom 2, 101 Linden Street, The City of Lansing ordains: East Lansing.

Section 1. That the district maps adopted by and incorporated as Section 1246.02 of the Code of 1. A public hearing will be held to consider Ordinance 1426: An ordinance to amend the Ordinances of the City of Lansing, Michigan be amended to provide as follows: Zoning Use District Map of Chapter 50 - Zoning - of the Code of the City of East Lansing to rezone four properties at 6290 Abbot Road, 6330 Abbot Road, 6350 Abbot Road, To change the zoning classification of the property described as follows: and vacant property on Abbot Road from RDD, Meridian Township-Multiple Family Low Density to RM-8, Planned Unit Development. The total area of the properties combined Case Number: Z-1-2018 is 24.36 acres.

Legal Descriptions: Rezone the property bounded by E. Michigan Avenue to the north, Barnard 2. A public hearing will be held to consider Ordinance 1428: An ordinance to amend the Street to the south, S. Larch Street to the west and the railroad property to Zoning Use District Map of Chapter 50 - Zoning - of the Code of the City of East Lansing the east from “H” Light Industrial to “G-1” Business district, with the following to rezone two vacant parcels at the southwest corner of East Saginaw Street and White exceptions (property not included in the rezoning): 628 E. Michigan Avenue, Pond Road from R-3, Single-Family and Two-Family Residential to B-1, General Office 629 Barnard Street and the adjacent parcel to its east, the parcel of land located Business. The total area of the properties combined is 0.52 acres. at the southeast corner of E. Michigan Avenue and S. Larch Street (formerly addressed as 608 E. Michigan Avenue), 119 S. Larch Street, except the north Call (517) 319-6930, the Department of Planning, Building and Development, City of East Lansing, 16.5 feet thereof and the 2 parcels located immediately south of 119 S. Larch 410 Abbot Road, East Lansing, for additional information. All interested persons will be given an Street. 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 Section 2. All ordinances or parts of ordinances inconsistent with the provisions hereof are hereby Planning Commission's recommendations are then placed on the agenda of the next City Council repealed. meeting. The City Council will make the final decision on these applications.

Section 3. This ordinance was duly adopted by the Lansing City Council on April 9, 2018, and a The City of East Lansing will provide reasonable auxiliary aids and services, such as interpreters copy is available in the office of the Lansing City Clerk, 9th Floor, City Hall, 124 W. Michigan Avenue, for the hearing impaired and audio tapes of printed materials being considered at the meeting, to Lansing, MI 48933. individuals with disabilities upon request received by the City seven (7) calendar days prior to the meeting. Individuals with disabilities requiring aids or services should write or call the Planning Section 4. This ordinance shall take effect upon the expiration of seven (7) days from the date this Department, 410 Abbot Road, East Lansing, MI 48823. Phone: (517) 319-6930. TDD Number: notice of adoption is published in a newspaper of general circulation. 1-800-649-3777.

Chris Swope, Lansing City Clerk, MMC/CMMC Jennifer Shuster www.lansingmi.gov/Clerk City Clerk www.facebook.com/LansingClerkSwope

CP#18-085 CP#18-091 City Pulse • April 18, 2018 www.lansingcitypulse.com 9

cials and their duties and obligations and Voting properly staff those offices.” The next challenge for local officials, and for the American electoral process, is a from page 8 growing tension between making elections more secure from hacking and making it TAKE THE to support local clerks. easier to vote. “These guys are the lowest resourced peo- “There are people in Michigan and else- ple out there, regularly protecting against where that are skeptical of having a total- the greatest threats we face, which is nation ly secure online registration system, or any states,” Hall said. type of online voting,” Dreyfus said. Byrum agreed that elections are “not But he still believes that in 20 or 30 years, properly funded in Michigan.” voting will be done totally on line. Until the August 2017 primary, Ingham “You’ll just look at your watch and speak county was running elections on comput- to it, who you’re voting for governor,” he said. ers that were over 12 years old and ran on “I don’t see it,” Swope said. “I believe in Windows XP, she said. the paper ballot.” “That is not he case now, but it’s embar- Dreyfus admitted that on line technology rassing that it was the case for so long,” will open up “a world of problems.” Bryrum said. “Sooner or later, when the state is fully She added that “cowboying up” means engaged in it, there will be a huge hack, a big getting more cowboys as well as fresh sad- meltdown,” he said. “It will require a whole dles. new level of security mechanisms.” “It’s not just about embracing the new technology, it’s about being properly staffed, and that’s not the case in Michigan,” she — LAWRENCE COSENTINO SURVEY said. “We need to respect the election offi-

period. However, a licensed person who is www.citypulse.com/survey Guns charged with a crime or subject to a person- al protection order is required to surrender from page 5 his or her license to the clerk because it is suspended. When a person is convicted of a reviews any legislative proposal before it is crime, the license is revoked. introduced, that will do a series of things But that wasn’t happening in Ingham to keep guns out of the hands of those who County. Byrum discovered when a license should not have them. holder with a suspended license walked into BETTER THE One bill would require those wishing to Total Firearms this year and purchased a rent a gun to have background checks of some gun. The purchaser then took the weapon to sort. A second bill would require federal fire- the Ingham County Sheriff’s Department to arm licensed dealers to call law enforcement register it. Law enforcement seized the gun, if a potential buyer fails a background check. but Byrum was furious, she said. And finally, Jones wants to create a misde- “It’s important that those licenses be sur- meanor for anyone with a concealed pistol rendered when suspended,” she said. license who fails to surrender it to the county Working with Ingham County Sheriff Scott PAPER clerk if it has been suspended or revoked. Wrigglesworth, deputies are now knocking That’s an issue highlighted by Total on the doors of people with CPLs have been Firearms, said Ingham County Clerk Barb revoked or suspended. Byrum. In her role, she issues and restracts Jones called the reforms “common sense” concealed pistol licenses in the county. and said he doesn’t expect pushback from Under Michigan law, possession of a val- gun rights advocates. ENTER TO id concealed pistol license allows a person to purchase a gun without a three-day waiting — TODD HEYWOOD

LEGAL NOTICE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF LANSING REZONING PENDING

Notice is hereby given that the Charter Township of Lansing Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on Monday, May 7, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. in the Lansing Township Administration Building, 3209 WIN $100 West Michigan Avenue, to recommend approval or denial of the request for rezoning for the property described as follows: AT THE LOCAL RESTAURANT Case PDR-18-4: 3701 W. Saginaw, Lansing MI 48917 – Former Waverly Golf Course/Park. Parcel #33-21-01-18-101-001

To be rezoned from “A” Single Family Residential to “PD” Planned Development for a Mixed Use Development that could potentially include Retail, Office, Residential, Gas Station, Car Wash, and Restaurants. OF YOUR CHOICE Tentative text and other information may be examined at the office of the Clerk, 3209 W. Michigan Ave.

Susan L. Aten, Clerk Charter Township of Lansing

CP#18-084 10 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • April 18, 2018

Four people in the pot trade (almost) If you’re looking for something special to do on Friday, check out the website potguide.com for a list of events to mark 420. Or just stop what you’re doing at 4:20 p.m. and smoke what you have handy. Or read the following sagas of adventures in the marijuana trade by your friends and neighbors.

Stories by TODD HEYWOOD and MAXWELL EVANS

friend capitalize on what would have been a per- fect culmination to years of practice with marijua- na cultivation. Henry Meyer “I love them and they love me -- it ain’t nothing From weed to ‘crack’ about greed or jealousy,” Meyer said. “I know for a — chicken, that is fact that if this law ever changes, I could go there and I could make a quarter-million dollars a year He could have been a master gardener, cash- just working for them. I know that. ing in on what is expected to be Michigan’s next “But they also know that if they were to give me big cash crop. That’s if Henry Meyer hadn’t been a job and if they were to use my knowledge and busted with so much pot the Drug Enforcement wits, they could be risking their millions.” Agency officers who busted him were in awe, at But more important to him than sitting on the least in his telling. sidelines while big pot interests with less experi- “The DEA wanted to interview me to find out ence than he does cash in -- and that’s saying a lot, how the fuck one person could grow this much since the mere mention of “those yuppity fucks” marijuana in a house with no help,” Meyer said. sends him into tirades about their hypocrisy -- is In 2010, Meyer, now 33, pled guilty to manu- the damage it’s done to his relationship with his facturing marijuana plants. U.S. District Court 10-year old son. judge Robert Bell handed down a 30-month sen- Two and a half years is a lot of time to spend tence, which he served in full. away from your child, especially at the crucial The business skills required to run an illegal preschool ages, which his son, whose name Meyer pot business have transferred seamlessly to his asked not be used, was going through while he ownership of Eastside Fish Fry, home of “the best was locked up. Courtesy photo His son has already found out about Meyer’s damn chicken in the city” (which will get no argu- Meyer with “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” host ment from this writer, other than to say that the drug-dealing past through his mother, something Guy Fieri in the kitchen at Eastside Fish Fry. catfish nuggets are even better). Meyer said he wanted to wait to tell him. His cooking talents even earned him a spot life. I’d never even fucking swept a floor at a Meyer thinks his absence has had a major effect on national television with Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Burger King,” Meyer said. “And I run a business on his son. He has behavioral issues, and as a Drive-Ins and Dives” on the Food Network. The now that’s gonna bring in $2 million this year.” result Meyer has had to be more assertive than show highlighted his decision to only hire non-vi- “Could you just imagine what I could do with the he would like to be when he gets to spend time olent drug felons like himself to work alongside fucking Pro Bowl?” he said, in reference to the for- with his son. him in the chicken joint. mer bowling alley site where PG Manufacturing, Case in point: Meyer had planned a weekend “I’m blessed and I’m thankful and I’m happy LLC has applied for eight grower licenses. trip to Schaumburg, Illinois, for dinner and a trip about what I’ve done for my friends at the fish fry If awarded them all, PG Manufacturing would to the 1300s at the Medieval Times restaurant. — I do not call them my employees, I call them be eligible to grow 12,000 plants. Taking conser- That week, his son was suspended from the school my friends,” Meyer said. vative estimates of four ounces of smokable bud bus and kicked out of music class all within the But the best chicken in the world (and a co-sign per plant and $250 an ounce, that’s 3,000 pounds span of three days. from the most famous man alive who’s still rock- and $12 million in revenue — all for one opera- The trip back in time never happened. ing frosted tips) won’t rake in profits like medical tion. “It made me want to cry, man,” Meyer said. “Not marijuana. But his arrest took away the ability to apply weed because I spent money, not because I took time Since pot shops dispense medicine, you’re skills he’d been building for years. Under emer- off of work, but because he fucking deserves it, he almost guaranteed return customers who have an gency rules released by the state’s Department of deserves me to be who I am.” actual need for your product. Not so in food ser- Licensing and Regulatory Affairs last December, As Meyer continues to grapple with the person- vice, even when your meals feature the addictive drug felons convicted within the last 10 years are al fallout from his arrest and the barriers it poses “crack chicken” seasoning. banned from obtaining licenses. to re-entering the industry that he learned so well Meyer is grateful for his successful transition Potential employees for marijuana facility as a young adult, he wishes he had the chance to out of prison, something he knows many felons license applicants are banned from working if legitimize his old business the way so many others don’t even get a chance at. they have drug felonies within 10 years as well. will get the chance to this year. But he also knows he’s missed the boat on an His only hope would be to receive a written excep- “If the government would’ve came to me back incredibly lucrative industry, expected to reach tion from the state’s Board of Medical Marihuana then and said, Hey man, you can keep doing nearly a billion dollars in annual revenues state- Regulation. everything you’re doing, you just gotta give us 30 wide, according to the state House Fiscal Agency. Meyer says he’s well connected with Lansing’s percent of everything,’ I would’ve given them 35 “I’d never even worked in a restaurant in my pot shop owners, who regret they couldn’t help a percent. Happily.” City Pulse • April 18, 2018 www.lansingcitypulse.com 11

ent, bedroom community in southwest and Maria grew grant from being deported for using Michigan. medical marijua- marijuana. The man had come to Joshua Covert “That kind of started, I would say, a na, legally, in the the U.S. to receive medical treatment Using the law, attorney is turning healthy distrust of authority,” he said with a home. and “had made a life for himself” and the tables in the war on drugs laugh. “From that point on, I kind of knew I He also chal- his 12-year-old son in the U.S. Law wasn’t being told the whole story.” lenged a Michigan enforcement conducted an illegal Marijuana has always been present in the But it wasn’t just arguing that motivated law which could search of his home, a judge ruled, life of Joshua Covert. Growing up, his par- Covert to become a lawyer. have prevented and found his medical pot. Because ents used the controversial plant and to him “I started thinking about my mom going medical marijua- the search violated the Constitution, it was no big deal. to jail for using cannabis and that’s kind of na patients from the evidence was suppressed and the That’s until the second grade, when a law like what spurred the thought about going transporting their man was freed. Had he been convict- enforcement officer came to his class to tell to law school.” he said. “I decided to actually medication. That ed, he would have been deported. him how horrible drugs and people who use do that, to help keep people like my mom law required the A large part of his work, he said, is them are. out of jail.” marijuana be kept going to be the battle to take a black “They came in with this display case of At 31, he made the decision to hit the law in a secure space market product shrouded in stigma roach clips, and bongs, and they were show- books rather than the slopes. not accessible and put it in a legitimate regulated ing it to everyone in class and saying that During an internship in Kalamazoo he from the passen- Joshua Covert speaks to market. people that use these things are losers, and got his taste of political organizing. He ger compartment activists from Represent.us As an example, he shared the sto- dopers, and all these derogatory terms,” said worked to help push an amendment to the of the vehicle. at Midtown Brewing Company ry of people who were denied state Covert, 41. “I knew that they were lying to Kalamazoo City Charter making marijua- Covert took the Sunday about the importance licenses because of “20- year-old” me, because I knew my parents, my parents’ na possession “the lowest priority” for law case in Clinton of marijuana activism in convictions. friends and family members, other parents enforcement action. County and fought Michigan. “I think it just kind of goes to would come by. They weren’t like that, so I And he’s been burning his name into the to the State Court show,” he said, “even though there’s a knew at that point the police, law enforce- legal and administrative rule books since he of Appeals, getting the law thrown out as it law that you can get licenses,” he said, “there ment, was lying to me.” graduated. Key among his victories? Getting would have applied to medical marijuana are people out there that are going to try to That sent Covert on a trajectory of “chal- “baby Bree,” Brielle Green, returned to her patients. do whatever they can to keep you from get- lenging” authority he said. He spent most family in 2013. She’d been removed from His final achievement, and one he is par- ting a license because there’s still a stigma of his childhood in Portage, a cozy, afflu- her home because both her parents Steve ticularly proud of, was preventing an immi- associated with it.”

fights with him about it and movement is also of corporate America, she said. all the time. I used to be informed by her educa- “Maybe I’m not benefiting everyone,” she Gillian Dawson one of those high on life tional experience. She said, “I’m maybe not benefiting the cor- people. I would get ada- graduated from MSU porations at the top that want to take this From ‘Just Say No’ to mant about it and when with two bachelor’s from us and exploit it and make Walmart advocate for cannabis my friends were smoking degrees. One degree was weed. But I am helping people.” weed, I’m like, ‘Are you in Spanish, the other in Her grandmother is a Fox News consum- sure you need that? You social work. — TODD HEYWOOD er, so Gillian Dawson was anxious about don’t need that.’” While she is not work- revealing her burgeoning marijuana activ- As a student at ing as a traditional social ism. Saline High School in worker, she sees her work Dawson’s grandmother, 70, questioned Washtenaw County, she in the cannabis industry her when she said she used pot. received top grades and as an extension of the ““She was like, ‘No, you don’t,’ Dawson served as student gov- philosophies of social said. ‘I know you, you don’t smoke weed. ernment president. But work. You’re not someone who smokes.’ And I’m that focus on achieve- “I love being able to do like, ‘Yes, I am, a lot.’” ment took a toll. She said something that not only Dawson That’s when Dawson pulled out her cell she developed anxiety, makes me feel good, but phone and started sharing photographs of which led her to try mar- do something that I know marijuana with her grandmother. She said ijuana during a substance experimentation makes other people’s lives better,” she said. the elder woman got up, got another cup of phase inher teen years. That work is underpinned by a rejection coffee and returned, “ready to understand.” “The alcohol actually became more like Dawson, 23 and a Michigan State a gateway for the marijuana than the other University graduate, was fighting what she way,” she said, turning an opposition frame called “indoctrination” against marijuana. famously touted by Attorney General Jeff Such indoctrination has led to a stigma Sessions. The frame? Marijuana is a gate- about the drug, and one she struggled with way drug to other drug use, including her- as she started experimenting in her late oin and cocaine. Dawson laughs at that, teens. noting that the impact of marijuana was “I kind of had to realize that it didn’t better than the prescription medications make you a bad person or lazy or anything, in addressing her anxiety and she saw no because that was really what I was worried need, and had no desire to use other drugs about. I was always an overachiever in high as a result. “That was it.” school,” she said. She chairs the Michigan Democratic Adding to the reminders of the alleged Party Cannabis Caucus, which Sunday negativity of pot, a DARE Officer for Saline scored a political coup when it helped TWO NIGHTS OF MUSIC THERAPY RECITALS CELEBRATE ABILITIES: • ROCKIN’ MUSIC THERAPY: • 5:30 P.M. • CMS lived on her block. secure the party’s endorsement of civil APRIL 24 APRIL 25 “It had a strong effect on me,” she said. rights attorney Dana Nessel over former Community Music School “Even into high school, my first boyfriend U.S. Attorney Patrick Miles. College of Music www.cms.msu.edu • (517) 355-7661 was smoking weed and I used to get in Her movement into the cannabis trade 4930 S. Hagadorn Rd., East Lansing, MI 48823 12 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • April 18, 2018

him in early adult sick from stage voters. life. IV cancer. The Since City Clerk Chris Swope made a Jarren Osmar Osmar attend- man had devel- mistake in throwing the petitions out, it With history of working for GOP, ed Michigan State oped the gaunt, would only be fitting for another elected an unlikely cannabis advocate University’s James skeletal frame of official to right that wrong, he said. Madison College, a person on the “There are other powers that you can where he studied edge of death and appeal to that don’t have a stake, so it’s Jarren Osmar, as he had for weeks, political theory. He had faced “every very interesting to me to hopefully see the stood on the podium and began to launch said he complet- medical procedure system working,” Osmar said. into a lecture assailing city officials for ed his course work there was.” In an With a likely 2018 ballot measure to undermining democracy. As the legal liai- but didn’t turn in act of desperation, legalize recreational marijuana coming, son for Let Lansing Vote, he’s led protests his final paper and the man started the once black market drug would be com- at City Council meetings. didn’t receive his using a potent ing out of the shadows. That means new April 9 was a change. President Carol bachelor’s degree. extract of mari- regulations and enforcement mechanisms. Wood gaveled him down when he began He’s a former leg- juana called Rick It’s the little shops that provide a per- to speak, noting that marijuana was not islative staffer who Simpson’s Oil, or sonal touch, sometimes even giving valu- on the business agenda. Osmar, 35, kept worked his way up Osmar was escorted out of a Lansing City RSO. able products away to patients in dire talking. the ladder into a Council meeting on April 9. “He does 60 need, Osmar said. That’s what motivates Wood recessed the meeting. “Officer cushy spot as assis- days of this treat- him to keep firing stones at giants closing remove him, please,” she commanded. tant to the state chairman of the party tra- ment and he goes in for the scan and the in from every angle. A Lansing Police officer physically ditionally against marijuana legislation, cancer’s gone,” Osmar said. “That con- “We see everything turning into Walmart pulled Osmar from the podium, escorting the GOP. vinced me that this has merit.” and Amazon, and you have to resist that,” him into the lobby of Council chambers. “After working for the Republican Party, Osmar threw himself into canna- Osmar said. “It’s a shame to take this mid- “When they told me I had to stop speak- I really began to distrust authority and the bis activism. He is now employed in the dle-class cottage industry and turn it over ing, I was flabbergasted,” Osmar said. way things worked,” Osmar said. “It’s with industry, although he declined to explain to big money people who don’t know any- “Because it was a democracy and trans- that in mind that I started to be more in what position. He does not consume thing about it. parency issue when they told me to stop open-minded about what my friends in any marijuana products. The loss of the community would hurt speaking, I refused.” the cannabis world were doing.” The self-proclaimed democracy advo- Lansing, he said. It was the culmination of the Grand Osmar said he’s been involved in voter cate said he’s excited to potentially see “Your cashier doesn’t know your name Ledge native’s evolution on marijuana. activism throughout the Midwest since at governmental checks and balances play at Walmart, you’re just a number,” he said. The self-described guy “who followed all least 2014. out in his organization’s favor — and in “That’s what we’re losing when we only the rules,” and son of what he described When he was about 30, his outlook on favor of turning pot regulation over to the allow big institutions to do this.” as “hippies,” pot had not been an issue for cannabis changed. A friend, he said, was

IN CONCERT 4/28 SATURDAY, 8:00 pm WHARTON CENTER | COBB GREAT HALL | FREE FOR STUDENTS The most revered oratorio of the 19th century, featuring the MSU Symphony Orchestra with Choral Union, State Singers and University Chorale conducted by David Rayl. With MSU soloists Mark Rucker, baritone, as Elijah, and Melanie Helton, soprano, Jane Bunnell, mezzo-soprano, and Richard Fracker, tenor.

TICKETS & INFO music.msu.edu 517-353-5340 City Pulse • April 18, 2018 www.lansingcitypulse.com 13 PROGRAM & CAREER SHOWCASE MAY 3 | 5–8 P.M. WIN A $500 SCHOLARSHIP! lcc.edu/openhouse

ARTS & CULTURE ART BOOKS FILM MUSIC THEATER Legendary bassist and bandmaker Ron Carter comes to MSU Carter is aware of his authority in a group ‘Big Brother’ is here and isn’t shy about using it. “That’s part of what the Creator’s given By LAWRENCE COSENTINO me, man,” Carter said. “I have to find the right set of notes, the right integrity, the When biologists single out “keystone right demeanor, the reputation of help- species” that whole ecosystems depend on, ing dates go where they can go — and that they’re never sharks, bears, lions or other might be somewhere else, other than where PBS glory hogs. Ecologists warn of the dire they were intended to go, to be musically things that would happen if all the trees, or successful. I do that kind of stuff and I have the insects, or the bacteria, in the world dis- a great time.” appeared. Carter also deploys a dry sense of humor. If there is a keystone organism alive in To ask him the secret of his vitality is to jazz right now, it’s surely bassist/composer court a brisk slap. Ron Carter. “I have hair, and a not all gray beard. I MSU Jazz Spectacular If Carter and think there’s still milk on my bib so I’m OK.” Swing Dance with Jazz Orchestras his multifar- Asked whether music is the best thing 7:30 p.m. Wed., April 18 ious works MSU Demonstration Hall human beings do, he hesitated. $8-10 vanished, “I’m not old enough, man,” he said. “Six life might Jazz Octets years from now I can figure out the an- With Carlos Valdez, percussion go on. But swer. A great handshake or a serious hug 7:30 p.m. Thurs., April 19 would it be Fairchild Theatre MSU Auditorium — there’s no music in that but the feeling $8-10 worth liv- is great.” ing? After years of trying, Whitaker exploited Finale Concert Ron Carter, bass Carter, 83, a rare opening in Carter’s busy schedule of 8 p.m. Sat., April 21 is arguably recordings, playing gigs and teaching. Fairchild Theatre MSU Auditorium $15-25 the most Carter’s residency caps a week-long Jazz www.music.msu.edu illustrious Spectacular that also includes a swing and influ- dance Wednesday night, a concert with stu- ential in a long line of guest artists to do a dent octets and percussionist Carlos Valdez residency with the MSU Jazz Studies pro- Thursday, and the day-long Essentially El- gram, and he’s still searching for something lington high school band competition Sat- new, from intimate duo and trio dates to a urday. big band gig in New York’s Blue Note last Whitaker, mentor to hundreds of musi- weekend. cians, is elated to finally get one of his own “Every night, when I go to work, I’m mentors in the house. looking for the second floor,” Carter said in “He was my hero on a lot of levels, be- a phone interview before the Blue Note gig, ing from the same home town,” Whitaker a tribute to pianist/composer Michel Leg- said. Carter grew up in Ferndale and, like rand. “I’ve been on the first floor for a long Whitaker, went to Cass Tech High School time and I want to get off!” in Detroit. On many of the great recordings in jazz Whitaker met Carter for the first time at Fortuna Sung history, from Miles Davis’ “Seven Steps to MSU in 1985, when Whitaker was a 17 and Carter with his bass. Heaven” to McCoy Tyner’s “Extensions,” a prospective student, taking auditions, Carter quietly controls the chemistry like a and Carter was doing duets with guitarist ern music. His own foray into hip hop, on Carter has taken up the expanded palette of blacksmith, bending the music to his will as Jim Hall. A Tribe Called Quest’s “Low End Theory,” a big band — but he doesn’t call it that. it curls, white hot, out of the creative fur- “There are things I do in my playing brought his bedrock bass roll to an appre- “I tell these guys, ‘You’re part of a 16-piece nace. that I forgot I took from him,” Whitaker ciative younger audience. quartet. Enjoy the ride,” Carter said with a “I look for a set of notes, where they are said with a laugh. “The records he did with Through all the phases of jazz, Carter laugh. on the bass — can I make the band go this Miles are etched in all of our memories, but said, “two things always happen.” Another jazz legend, pianist/composer way, make them better?” Carter said. he’s beyond that.” “There’s always someone who wants to Michel Legrand, was set to play the Blue “It’s beyond finding the right notes,” For five ground-breaking years, Carter play better than the next guy,” he said. “And Note gig last weekend with Carter, but Leg- MSU Jazz Studies director Rodney Whita- anchored trumpeter Miles Davis’ second there’s always someone who thinks they’ve rand fell ill at the last minute and Carter ker said. “He is the bass player that will quintet, one of the greatest groups ever, found a new way to play music.” had to scramble. The arrangements were immediately make your band sound like a with Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter and Those two things, he said, “trigger chang- built around Legrand’s piano playing and band. If he’s not on the bandstand, it’s a dif- Tony Williams. Carter has played on 2,221 es in music.” “Whether it’s Miles, Charlie had to be reworked. Carter took it all in ferent record, a different gig.” recordings as of September 2015, according Parker, Louis Armstrong, Ornette Cole- stride. Saxophonist Joe Henderson called Car- to Guinness Records. man, Trane — there’s certain people who “I call it a live get well card,” Carter said. ter “Big Brother” because of his apparent “Joe Henderson, Roberta Flack, the re- are determined to do it,” Carter said. “And “People will feel it’s truly a tribute and a re- mind-reading ability, according to Whita- cords he did on Blue Note — there’s so it’s not an ego thing, man. They just have minder of Michel Legrand’s importance on ker. much,” Whitaker said. “He’s the most re- that drive to get to the second floor.” the music competition scene.” “Wherever you think you’re going to go corded bassist in history.” After a long career of playing in intimate This week, Carter is bringing arrange- musically, he goes there before you go, or Carter has seen jazz go through a lot of formats such as quintets, quartets, trios ments to MSU for the students to tackle. he’ll lead you to where you want to go,” changes, from bebop to post-bop, funk, fu- and some exquisite duets, most notably “Yes, Mr. Whitaker’s already paid for Whitaker said. sion and flings with hip hop and non-West- with Jim Hall and saxman Houston Person, them — that’s the rumor, anyway,” he joked. 14 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • April 18, 2018

Making punk rock personal ‘Green Day’s American Idiot’ brings the album to life By PAUL WOZNIAK rock” band and “American Idiot” is not a typical Broadway show. What’s more punk rock than a Broad- Descended from a long line of rock way musical? Right? On the surface, the musicals like the Who’s “Tommy,” “Rent” fast-pounding, anarchist vibe of punk and “Hair,” “American Idiot” is a raucous rock and the glitzy extravagance of Broad- blend of righteous anger, passion and way musicals would seem incompatible. power chords. The Michigan State Uni- But Green Day is not a typical “punk versity Department of Theatre produc-

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE THEATRE.MSU.EDU

Courtesy photo The cast of “Green Day’s American Idiot.”

9th Annual tion directed by Brad Willcuts currently scenic design of seedy industrial plat- running at the Pasant Theatre is a time- forms puts the band on top with lots of ly, present day update of the rock opera room for the cast to run and roam. It also album turned musical originally written leaves plenty of space for Heather Brown’s Friends of Theatre during the George W. Bush administra- lighting design, Violet Jones’ fun props tion. like a push-cart bus, and two giant vid- Unlike some other rock music orient- eo walls for media design by Alison Dob- ed musicals, “American Idiot” is not a bins. MSU incorporates media design in Gala jukebox musical made up of Green Day’s most shows staged greatest hits but rather a coming of age at the Pasant. But “Green Day’s story of three friends moving beyond and the video projec- American Idiot” then back to their suburban hometown. tions in this show MSU Department of Theatre Tuesday, May 8, 2018 Johnny (Jacob Covert) heads to the big are particularly 7:30 p.m. city to be a musician but becomes a drug strong, visually en- Wednesday-Thursday April 18-19; addict, Tunny (Mel Vandenberg) joins the hancing emotions 8 p.m. Friday April 20; army and is wounded in combat, and Will and characters 2 p.m. & 8 p.m. Saturday 6:00-8:30 PM April 21; (Evan Houdek) stays behind to live with with kaleidoscopic 2 p.m. Sunday April 22 his pregnant girlfriend (Shelby Antel). colors or serving as ** Post-Show Discussion Thursday, April 19, 2018 On sTage aT The CObb greaT hall Along the way, Johnny falls in love with instant set back- (Following the Whatsername (Janette Angelini) and drops that prevent Performance) $22 general admission/$20 WharTOn CenTer gets heroin from a charismatic St. Jimmy the need for cum- seniors and faculty/$10 (Max Sanders) while Tunny falls in love bersome, roll-away children 12 and under The Pasant Theatre, 750 with her rehab nurse Extraordinary Girl set pieces. In addi- E. Shaw Ln., East Lansing (Molly Bennett). Everyone eventually tion, co-choreog- (800) WHARTON, EXPERIENCE THEATRE ends up at home again but of course more raphers Brad Will- Whartoncenter.com FOR ALL ABILITIES grown up. cuts and Karen Covert is arguably the strongest indi- Vance designed some killer choreography vidual voice. Lean, tall, and clad in super for their tight ensemble that pops, locks, tight black jeans, Covert looks the part of kicks and just rocks. a rock band lead singer. He also sounds Musical director Dave Wendelberger like it with a voice that keeps the band rocking closely resembles Green without overpowering Day’s lead singer and the singers. Pit drum- songwriter Billie Joe mers don’t usually get Armstrong, a welcome mentioned in reviews, detail especially for a but Ethan Lucas is es- university production. pecially solid with his Covert’s strongest num- stamina to power the ber is the soul searching band for 90 solid min- “Boulevard of Broken utes. Dreams,” but his vocal The biggest hurdle for prowess and chemis- the production, besides Enjoy delicious appetizers, wine, and dessert as you try with the cast really singers occasionally sing- mingle with friends, faculty, and students. strengthen the entire production. ing out of tune, opening night was the As Johnny’s roommate Tunny, Vanden- sound mix. Singers could be heard but not The featured event of the evening will be a production of berg does a capable job playing a role that easily understood unless they were sing- was originally written for a male. Van- ing in unison and microphones frequent- Farm! A Musical Experience: a brand new musical written denberg often struggles to stay on pitch, ly dipped in and out for singers, leaving by MSU students and faculty specifically for audiences but always commits to the emotion of the the audience struggling to understand the with special needs. All proceeds support projects like song. emotionally driven lyrics. As the friends left behind, Houdek and What MSU occasionally misses in sound Farm! through the MSU FOT Endowment Fund. Antel share explosive chemistry especial- quality, they make up for in youthful vig- ly on “Too Much Too Soon” when Antel or and sharp choreography. Besides, punk as Heather walks out with their baby to rock has never been known for its singers $75 TICKETS leave her slacker, stoner husband to care or sound quality. At its core, “American for himself. Idiot” is about the healing power of mu- Buy tickets at: theatre.msu.edu While the cast and ensemble are solid, sic, and the strength needed to survive the the technical elements of “American Idiot” administration of an American idiot. or 517.355.6690 really make the show. Peter Verhaeghe’s City Pulse • April 18, 2018 www.lansingcitypulse.com 15 Ever-growing Stoop Fest returns East side event offers space for fans and artists By SKYLER ASHLEY Stoop Fest also goes beyond music by dedicating space in one house to an art One of Lansing’s most promising mu- gallery and collaborating with the Allen sic festivals isn’t happening at a park or Neighborhood Center to create a make- a concert hall. Instead, Stoop Fest’s ear- shift marketplace featuring crafts and nest tradition takes its popup restaurants. Stoop Fest audience on an adven- Korzecke and Radick said the idea of Tickets start at $20 ture through the east Stoop Fest is to celebrate Lansing’s inde- For a full schedule of performances and list side, where nearly 60 pendent music scene as a whole, not just of addresses artists and a cast of co- a particular style or trend. Visit stoopfest.org medians will perform “We intentionally make it multi-genre. at six different houses, We want to include as many styles as pos- while headlining acts sible,” Korzecke said. “I feel each year we take over Mac’s Bar and the Avenue. get more diverse. We don’t have a theme “We didn’t know what we were getting sonically, but we really want the festi- ourselves into,” laughed co-founder Dom val to reflect community and welcoming Korzecke as he recalled the original 2016 spaces with welcoming people.” Stoop Fest. “We were going into unchart- After its successful 2016 inauguration, ed territory.” Stoop Fest expanded beyond the original Though the continued expansion of six houses with help from the Avenue, and Stoop Fest seems to hint that it may one this year they’ve added Mac’s Bar to the day stretch beyond its roots, what allowed mix. The extra space allows the team to it to initially grow was a tight collabora- book larger touring acts. Given Korzecke tion between neighbors and a determined and Radick’s combined experienced with DIY attitude. As a unique and challeng- booking shows for several years before ing gambit to book a music festival that their involvement with Stoop Fest, it relies solely on house shows, Stoop Fest wasn’t difficult for them to cultivate a needed the help. substantial lineup. This year, they’ve got “The first year, we were entirely hous- their biggest acts yet in Speedy Ortiz and Courtesy photo es,” Korzecke said. “We had to grow Suzi Analogue, artists being lauded by the Stoop Fest’s planning committee. Left to right (back): Erica Marra, Tommy Plural, Joseph enough cohesion to get all of these hous- likes of NPR and The New York Times. Steinhardt, Dom Korzecke, Zosha Korzecke, Claire Post. Left to right (front): James es to coordinate their schedules and plan “We’re going even bigger — bringing in Radick, Cale Sauter, John Warmb. how everything would work.” more national acts while still showcasing “It was kind of this dream to show- acts from our community,” Korzecke said. separation between fan and artist. foster more strength with the music com- case everything that is the Lansing east- “We sold out of tickets the first two years. “With no separation between the munity. Warmb equates performing at side DIY community. We’re really happy People that came the first year came the crowds and the bands, shows are much Stoop Fest as a chance not just to make with what it’s grown into,” said fellow second year and they’re coming the third more personal and those are the ones that fans but friends, as well as inspire others co-founder James Radick. year. We have room to expand because people remember,” said Zack McCormick to pursue music. Korzecke drummed up the idea for people keep coming.” of the group Teething. “There’s so much room for local friends Stoop Fest with more than a little inspi- But Stoop Fest isn’t leaving the stoop “For the bands, it’s an opportunity and kiddos who have the music in their ration from Grand Rapids’ Lamp Light just yet. Its marquee pull is still the play- to show everyone your creations with- heart, but aren’t necessarily looking to get Festival, which books a series of primari- ful chaos of crowds jumping from house out lighting, professional setups or any booked on some great big thing,” Warmb ly folk bands and puts them on a similar to house, trying not to miss the next set of of the bells and whistles. It’s the sum of said. “Having the ability for these bands circuit of house shows. Korzecke had reg- musicians and comedians. the parts at their most honest, and that’s to play in somebody’s living room is so ularly attended the grassroots affair and “We’re always going to make sure our where most acts shine.” important and encouraging for people decided it was time to bring it back home. biggest draws are in the biggest venues, John Warmb of Rent Strike believes to think, ‘Hey maybe I can do this in my “I really liked the way that festival felt. so we don’t have to worry about safety,” events such as Stoop Fest, where he vol- house. Maybe I can play my guitar and You could go into these intimate spac- Radick said. “As we shift into bigger acts unteers, offer a valuable opportunity to sing songs in front of people.’” es to see these artists,” Korzecke said. “I playing, the houses give us an opportuni- brought the idea to our team and told ty to have alternative spaces for bands to them I wanted to do it bigger and right reconfigure their live performance for a TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY 10AM! here in Lansing. Everyone was very on- more intimate setting. It’s very cool to see board with it.” what they do to accommodate that.” But the Stoop Fest team didn’t create a So what is so special about seeing an carbon copy. What keeps Stoop Fest from artist in a house, anyway? For performers being a mirror image of Lamp Light is its and fans, it’s about a lack of barriers. The acts. While Lamp Light focuses almost idea of a concert usually includes steep entirely on folk-inspired music, Stoop boundaries via a raised stage, or in the Fest intentionally books a healthy blend case of larger shows, hundreds of feet of of genres. distance — either way, there’s a complete  FieldWorks JUNE 7 7PM Important Campaign Hiring Immediately! Make a Earn up to $16-$20 per hour! No Difference No previous experience required Fundraising Full time, part time, & weekend positions available Drivers Earn Bonuses PLUS Gas Reimbursement! Great campaign and political experience FieldWorks is a progressive grassroots campaign firm with decades of experience in grassroots organizing, volunteer management, and direct voter contact. We fight and win victories for issues like; Clean Energy, increases in funding for education and health care, raising the minimum wage, and fair elections. 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2001 E. Michigan Ave. • Lansing, MI 48912 FieldWorks, LLC is an equal opportunity A JS TOURING PRODUCTION Call Campbell @ 517-940-4863 employer. 16 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • April 18, 2018 Record Store Day: Christmas for vinyl collectors The retail celebration that revived local shops By SKYLER ASHLEY to 2017. The same data recorded that vinyl ac- Record Store Day, the unofficial holi- counted for 14 percent of all physical al- day of all things vinyl, returns Saturday, bums. The highest selling album through and there are three places to celebrate. all of 2017? In the spirit of the format’s REO Town’s Record Lounge, Old Town’s vintage sensibilities, the Beatle’s “Sgt. Replay Entertainment Exchange and Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” East Lansing’s Flat, Black & Circular all “It’s been a huge boon to us. The whole have bands booked and are awaiting both idea was that large labels were gonna stringent record collectors and casual help out small stores by having a day that newcomers. brings huge amounts of attention and The conception of Record Store Day brings in people that normally wouldn’t in 2007 is argued to be a serious con- go in,” said Flat, Black & Circular’s Jon tributing factor to a massive resurgence Howard. “It did have the unintended side in vinyl, which by the early 2000s was effect of people who are in it to buy rare widely considered archaic and blasé. In releases and flip them. But I don’t per- an impressive turnaround, the Nielsen sonally think that has ruined it.” SoundScan has recorded an increase in Record Store Day is not without crit- vinyl sales for the past 12 years straight, ics that often cite the aforementioned with a 9 percent spike — which amounts vinyl scalpers and accuse record labels to 1 million more LPs sold — from 2016 of releasing mediocre content that relies solely on gimmicks. But it hasn’t really changed Howard’s attitude. “We still like it. It’s still a huge sales day for us, even outside of Record Store Day exclusive releases. It’s a par- ty kind of thing, I’m positive about it,” Howard said. “I un- Courtesy photo derstand the blowback, peo- Flat, Black & Circular customers picking up limited releases at last year’s event. ple say ‘the releases aren’t that good, it’s taking advantage by making releases purposely It isn’t always just a one-day sales But even with some minor complaints, limited,’ but its still kind of spike. Harkness said the event gives his Frarey is equally grateful for an opportu- like our Christmas.” shop a much needed pipeline to attract nity to get people in the door. Replay Entertainment Ex- future dedicated customers. “There are kind of gimmicky things change manager Clint Hark- “Oh man, the exposure. Every year I that can be kind of cool, so that’s a good ness shares much of Howard’s get a few people that say ‘oh, I’ve never thing about it. optimistic sentiment. heard of your store before, but I saw that It helps out the The Record Lounge Featuring a performance by “It always helps out with the you were doing Record Store Day, so we shop,” Frarey the Lemon Collies, giveaways, business. We get a lot of busi- came in’ and now they’re loyal customers said. “I might raffles and snacks catered by the Crafted Bean ness on those days, it’s pret- and I see them once a week,” Harkness moan about Store opens at 10 a.m. ty rad,” Harkness said. “It’s said. “If nothing else, people just for one spending mon- 1132 S. Washington Ave., Skyler Ashley/City Pulse Lansing a little pricey, but if you’re a day go to independent stores and spend ey for all the www.facebook.com/ Record Lounge owner Heather Frarey said Record collector like I am it’s nice to money. I think that’s cool.” stuff I have to therecordlounge Store Day has been better than ever since her store get stuff that you would never And to the critics? bring in, but in Flat, Black & Circular moved to REO Town. able to get your hands on.” “Everything’s a gimmick. Everything the end there’s Featuring exclusive giveaways and performances by No Skull, you buy and you sell is a gimmick — no a profit. It’s Nicholas of Hat Madder and the matter what it is. Some people hate on it, nice. Every- Complainers Store opens at 10 a.m. the big record companies have definitely one’s happy 541 E. Grand River Ave., East come in on it as far as pressings go, but and has a great Lansing it still helps small businesses,” Harkness time. It’s a www.flatblackandcircular.com said. “Everybody’s got to have something good thing.” Replay Entertainment to complain about.” And for all Exchange Record Lounge owner Heather Frarey the supposed Featuring giveaways and a performance by Destroyer has certain reservations. gimmicks, the Store opens at 8 a.m. “When it first started it was a really bubble of Re- 536 E. Grand River Ave, Lansing good thing, it helped out independent cord Store Day www.replaylansing.com shops like mine a whole lot. But as it has shown no grew, more of the bigger labels starting signs of burst- putting their spin on reissues and the ing. prices kept going up and up and up,” Fra- “Me and the owner have always talk- rey said. “It’s gotten to be kind of a thing ed about waiting for that year when the for the bigger labels. They make a lot of bubble pops,” Howard said. “But it hasn’t money off of it.” happened and we’re amazed every year.” Hear what you love!

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Kathy Debler M.A.,CCC-A, FAAA 6512 Centurion Drive • Suite 340 Certified Audiologist Lansing, MI 48917 [email protected] (517) 323-6222 www.audiohearingservices.com Fax (517) 323-6279 City Pulse • April 18, 2018 www.lansingcitypulse.com 17 Getting the backstage treatment Concert series provides platform for Michigan’s unknowns By CIARA PAGE tler & the Rainbow Seekers, and Zombie Je- sus and the Chocolate Sunshine Band. If you’ve ever wanted the exclusive back- “They are really unrecognized musicians stage experience, WKAR is offering a taste with a passion for music and I’m happy to of it. The public television station’s annual put them on this platform. It’s new and fresh, BackStage Pass something we haven’t seen before and I be- Luke Winslow King concert series, lieve in them and stand behind them,” Za- Wednesday, April, 18 6:30 p.m. a showcase fea- remba said. Register online for free seating turing primarily WKAR TV Studio A But Zaremba has also managed to attract 404 Wilson Road, East Lansing Michigan-based nationally recognized talent via reality star http://wkar.org/programs/ musicians, re- musicians. Amelia Hammer Harris from backstage-pass Zombie Jesus and the turns for its American Idol and Taylor John Williams Courtesy photo ninth year this from the Voice are slated to come onto the Zombie Jesus and the Chocolate Sunshine Band play on “Backstage Pass” April 19. Chocolate Sunshine weekend. show as a duo. Band Concertgoers Having reached the crest of the social me- the story-telling nature of our music, it was Michigan has such a vibrant music history. Thursday, April 19, 6:30 p.m. Register online for free seating become the live dia age, finding talented artist with a follow- nice to be able talk in depth about the mean- We could be these bands’ outlet and elevate WKAR TV Studio A studio audience ing was not hard for Zaremba. She says she ing of some songs,” said Zito. “BackStage them to the next level and that’s really im- 404 Wilson Road, East Lansing http://wkar.org/programs/ and watch the used the underground social media scene to Pass as a platform adds to the awareness of portant,” said Zaremba. backstage-pass band have their capture bands that were up and coming, or Michigan’s unique music scene and deepens Recalling her first concert, the now leg- SIAS performance previously signed with no real notoriety. the meaning of the arts in the already thriv- endary White Stripes show at the MSU Friday, April 20, 6:30 p.m. taped. These “I look at their followings, like what do ing community. It elevates the music com- Union, Zaremba enjoyed being able to grow Register online for free seating WKAR TV Studio A performances they know that I don’t? And I look into that,” munity, assigning importance at a broadcast with local artists and their careers. Her work 404 Wilson Road, East Lansing are later broad- she said. “I get these bands before they go big level, reaffirming that which so many already isn’t going unnoticed by musicians like Zito. http://wkar.org/programs/ backstage-pass cast nationality, to showcase the talent. Some of these bands hold dear.” “It’s profoundly rewarding to connect with showing on PBS have been doing this for so long without real Michigan is notable for producing many concertgoers through music, if for only for stations throughout the country. acknowledgement.” heavyweights in the music industry, includ- an hour at a time. Seeing lyrics tattooed on “We have a really good lineup of artists. I’m Ben Zito’s band the Crane Wives partici- ing the obvious standards from the Motown people’s bodies, kids singing or covering our proud of all these bands and I’m super excit- pated in last season’s edition of BackStage record label and in recent years, stars like Big songs, or artwork inspired by what we do, is ed to have them featured on the show,” Back- Pass. He believes the concert series provid- Sean, Dej Loaf and Jack White. While many proof that we’re reaching people on a deeper Stage Pass producer Nicole Zaremba said. ed a platform for his band to gain a stronger artists from Detroit sign with labels and be- level,” Zito said. “Knowing that you’re creat- The list of bands announced for BackStage following. come nationally known, others are only lo- ing an effective positive difference for people Pass includes Luke Winslow King, SIAS, “It provided us a platform to discuss our cally famous. is all the reason I need to get up and get to Jack & the Bones, the Go Rounds, Joe Her- music and our music-making process. Given “It’s only natural we do this show, because work.” Pop punk up-and-comers: A Q&A with Hot Mulligan By SKYLER ASHLEY You recently got well? back from a tour with Nick Diener, our producer and formerly Lansing band Hot Mulligan has bumped Knuckle Puck and of the Swellers, helped us out with that! No itself up on the national independent music Boston Manor. How Sleep followed us on Twitter. We were hop- scene’s radar. The band has garnered seri- did that go? Favorite ing maybe they’d extend an offer — and they ous attention after signing with the Califor- memories? Stories? did — and it’s been good so far. nia-based imprint No Sleep Records, the That tour was home for several popular alternative acts easily our favorite How does being signed to a label change such as The Wonder Years and Balance and we’ve gotten to be a your band’s dynamic? Composure. Hot Mulligan is fresh off the re- part of. Every show It really hasn’t changed anything. We still lease of its debut for No Sleep, “Pilot,” and a was a blast for us. run the same way, but we have some more national tour with Knuckle Puck and Boston On the last night in support now and are less stressed out. Manor. We managed to get a few words in Indianapolis, all of with the group’s guitarist/vocalist Chris Free- the support came With so many bands in the vein of Hot man. onstage for Knuck- Mulligan coming from the coasts or Europe, Courtesy photo le Puck’s encore and what’s it like to come out of the Midwest? Your new album “Pilot” has a comfortably Hot Mulligan (left to right) Garrett Willig, Tades Sandville, Chris made a human pyra- I think the Midwest is actually great. pop punk sound, how is that genre evolving? Freeman, Brandon Blakeley. mid while some of us There are a lot of good markets to play with- I don’t know. I think it was pretty stale for we all take influences from other genres too. blew vape clouds at in just a few hours of each other, but the a while, but I think more people are catching their feet kind of like fog machines. coasts treat us well too. I think a lot of great on to that. I’m looking forward to seeing what Can you explain your songwriting process bands came out of the Midwest like Fall Out else comes of it. and each member’s role? Do you have more major tours planned Boy, Knuckle Puck, Real Friends, the Swell- We don’t necessarily have a solidified song- for the future? Or is that a secret? ers, Citizen, Fireworks, La Dispute and a What are your songwriting influences? writing process. Sometimes I will write out We’re keeping that on lock. You’ll know bunch more. It’s a good place to be. Are they more contemporary or classic? the chords and lyrics and just bring it to the soon enough. We’re into all sorts of Emo — some of the band later. Other times I just have one riff, What bands do you hope to play with one more early 2000s pop stuff and that 2010 the band builds on it from there, and all of Tell us about the path to getting involved day? Emo revival period as well. I’m also pretty the vocals and lyrics are added later. with California’s No Sleep Records. Who Taking Back Sunday and The Wonder stoked on early 2000s pop hits as well, but helped you out? Is the label treating you Years would be a good time, I think. 18 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • April 18, 2018 Uncovering the massacre of South African miners at Small Koppie as they descend into a living hell of mud, Greg Marinovich’s new book reveals sordid details slime and noise. Interestingly, the miners By BILL CASTANIER edy itself. The are given two sets of pure white overalls to story is not wear underground. But since the overalls Much has changed in South Africa since only about are expected to glitter when they start work apartheid’s 1994 abolishment, but a new the greed of the next day, they immediately strip them book about a horrific massacre in 2012 the mine’s off when they are underground. At night reveals what awful things have stayed the owners, but they return to a shanty-like existence. same. It also reveals that many Western- also about so- Marinovich describes the workers as ers are oblivious to modern South African cial justice for powerless and disposable, and when that atrocities. the platinum happens the workers have nothing left to “Murder at Small Koppie: the Real Sto- miners. lose. ry of South Africa’s Marikana Massacre” by During the Marinovich tells a straightforward, but Greg Marinovich relates his investigation days lead- nevertheless dramatic tale. He separates into the massacre of 34 platinum miners ing up to the fact from fiction, such as when he dispels and the wounding of 78 others. massacre, the notion that the miner’s leader was alive Marinovich, a Pulitzer Prize-winning au- strikers al- after the massacre and then killed by the thor, pulls no punches in telling what led lowed Ma- Marinovich police while in custody, effectively making up to the massacre and details of the trag- rinovich, a him a martyr for the cause. Good story, but white South not true. African, total access to the scene. Although The author, a college dropout, considers SCHULER BOOKS Marinovich does not see the actual killings, himself a documentary photographer and he is one of the first journalists on the site is now teaching visual journalism at both &MUSIC the day after. Harvard and Boston College. Bestselling fantasy author Marinovich examines forensic evidence “I dropped out because I got caught up Marinovich persisted and finally found and discovers a an eyewitness who countered the duplicity TOBIAS BUCKELL presents in politics,” Marinovich said. Referring to Marinovich Author state cover-up himself as an ethno-graphic, anthropology of the police, the politicians and the mining The Tangled Lands about whether storyteller, Marinovich got his start in jour- company. Appearances From the start, press conferences were Wednesday, April 18 the killings were nalism by traveling to the all-black areas of Thursday, April 19 @ 7pm Mosaic: Multicultural Unity planned. When he South Africa. held depicting one location for the shoot- Center writes about the “People quiz you and either they trust ings, but Marinovich discovered that less Meet Tobias Buckell, bestselling sci-fi 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. author of Halo: The Cole Protocol and 49 Abbot Road, East Lansing hill Small Koppie, you or they don’t. They can see what color than a 15-minute walk away was another Free where the miners your spirit is,” Marinovich said. site where 17 of the miners were killed in the Xenowealth series, as he talks Open to public about his newest fantasy novel, The Thursday, April 19 choose to make The day of the massacre, Marinovich had cold blood. MSU International Center a stand, it is pre- left the site when he got word that the po- “It was obvious a lot of blood had been Tangled Lands, co-written with Hugo 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Award-winning author Paolo Bacigalupi! 427 N. Shaw Lane, East sented as more lice were shooting live rounds. spilled at the site. Cops were hunting the Lansing than just high “It was too late to go back,” he said. miners down and killing them in their hid- Free Independent Bookstore Day Open to public ground, but rather Returning the next day, he found the po- ing places,” he said. a holy place for the lice using Styrofoam coffee cups to mark Marinovich reported the second narra- Saturday, April 28 miners who work underground. the site of the killings and the trajectory of tive on how the police reacted at the online Marinovich writes, “When the setting the bullets. Estimates of 700 rounds being site Daily Maverick. He is highly critical of Join us in celebration of everything sun caused the rock to turn blood red it fired were made during a 300-day inquiry mainstream press for not reporting what that makes us great with treats indeed seemed to be a site of enchanted into the killings from which no police were actually happened at the massacre. and surprises throughout the day, a potency.” This is contrasted to where the found guilty of misdeeds. “It is not simple stuff and very few have story time at 11am, giveaways, and men work, deep below ground in a hell- While on the site his first goal was to find the resources to dig deep,” he said. He also exclusive Independent Bookstore Day like atmosphere for a pittance to supply the eye witnesses to the shootings, but initially cites pack journalism as a fault of coverage books and literary items that you can world’s platinum. none were coming forward. He later found and how the web has become a “great boon only get on that day! Long Live the The author is at his best when he takes to democracy of people’s voices.” Indie! out all the witnesses had been rounded up the reader below ground with the miners, and arrested on murder charges. However, Marinovich believes we are liv- An Evening with Comedian ing in the golden age of documentary and that we are uncensored in story-telling. and Voice Actor “Just don’t expect to make a living doing 67th MICHIGAN Free H. Jon Benjamin @ Michigan New Parking! it,” he said. Theater in Ann Arbor Location! ANTIQUARIAN BOOK Tom Wolfe, Jimmy Breslin and Pete Ha- & PAPER SHOW mill led the New Journalism movement Friday, May 4 @ 8pm  in New York in the 1960s and ‘70s. Their Join our sister store Nicola’s Books Sunday, April 29 9:30 AM - 5 PM counterpart, Joan Didion, set the stan- at the Michigan Theater to meet Causeway Bay Hotel & Conference Center dard on the West Coast with her slim actor and comedian H. Jon Benjamin 6810 S. Cedar, Lansing 1968 volume, “Slouching Towards Beth- ─ the voice behind the animated hit lehem.” Members of the City Pulse Book TV shows Archer and Bob’s Burgers! Bring this coupon to the box office for $1.00 off Club, which is open to all, will tackle it Visit Nicolasbooks.com for ticketing at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 3, at Schuler information. $5 admission price Books & Music in the Meridian Mall. The Children 13 and under free club, which meets monthly, is spending Located in the Meridian Mall the entire year reading books about 1982 W. Grand River Ave., Okemos curiousbooks.com Details 332-0112 MichiganBookShow 1968 or published that year. This book is www.SchulerBooks.com available at Schuler. City Pulse • April 18, 2018 www.lansingcitypulse.com 19 In praise of ‘evolution’ and changing positions On May 9, 2012, I’m sure you’ve heard the critiques of news broke with a public figures who are less liberal than quote from President we’d prefer. They announce a more liberal Barack Obama on position, change their talking points, or his stand towards respond to criticism by “clarifying” their marriage equality. For stand. Quite often they are met with many years, although charges of being disingenuous, criticized he supported civil for taking too long, reminded of their 40 rights for the LGBTQ White previous positions, and told they haven’t community, he held done enough. the view that mar- While it’s healthy to be a critical thinker riage for same-sex couples was against and to distinguish between empty talk his personal beliefs. “I believe marriage is and real action, it’s self-defeating to greet between a man and a woman. I am not in newcomers with hostility. Instead, we need favor of gay marriage,” he said in 2008. to acknowledge the difficulty of their jour- And then, in 2012, he stated, “I’ve been ney. At some level they had to be willing to going through an evolution on this issue.” listen to people with whom they disagree, During an interview with ABC News he take in new information, consider different said, “I’ve just concluded, that for me per- points of view, and challenge their own sonally, it is important for me to go ahead basic assumptions in life. When someone and affirm that I think same-sex couples finally comes around to publicly support- should be able to get married.” ing gay and trans rights, it’s nearly certain Uh-oh. He flipped. He’s inconsistent. that they have also had to break ranks with We can prove it. “Evolution?” Isn’t that important people in their life – a religious just a euphemism for a lack of conviction? leader, a mentor, a respected community Doesn’t that make you weak and shifty? leader, or even their own family. Rather Where’s your backbone? than showing weakness, “evolution” takes We’ve all heard this school of thought: courage. Public leaders must maintain consistent Let’s celebrate those who shift, no positions. To change is to be suspicious matter what their journey looks like: small and untrustworthy. Real leaders, the steps, big steps, coming late in life, or after thought goes, have had the same positions working against us for many years. After on any given issue since they first went all, when they shift towards us, we are public. To some, it’s even important to winning. know what positions they held as stu- To all the Flip-Floppers, John- dents in college. A philosophy that praises ny-Come-Latelies, and Evolvers on long-standing views and criticizes change LGBTQ rights: I want to sing your praises. is most often associated with conservatism. I don’t care how long it has taken you to But people across the political spectrum, arrive or how you got here. Welcome. including liberals and progressives, can also be resistant to “evolution” among pub- (Stephanie White is the executive di- lic figures, even when they change to take rector of Michigan Equality. Her column up a position we want them to hold. appears monthly.) 20 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • April 18, 2018

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FOR MORE INFO & SCHEDULING CALL: 616-719-0441 3413 S. CEDAR ST. • LANSING, MICHIGAN 48910 CORNER OF CEDAR & HOLMES City Pulse • April 18, 2018 www.lansingcitypulse.com 21 Thursday, April 19 CLASSES-AND-SEMINARS MSU Song Cycle Conference (TOPS) TAKE OFF POUNDS SENSIBLY . At 6 p.m. First meeting FREE.. Haslett Middle School, 1535 Franklin St. Haslett. ANIMATION LAB (4 WEEK CLASS). From 6 to 7:30 p.m. Cost: tinkrLAB Members - $99.00 Not Yet Members - $125.00. tinkrLAB, Meridian Mall, 1982 W Grand River Okemos. 517-233-1524. COLLATERAL DAMAGE: ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF WAR ON THE AND MILITARISM . From 7 to 9 p.m. Free. Edgewood United Church, 469 N. Hagadorn Road East Lansing. SPANISH CONVERSATION GROUP. From 7 to 8 p.m. FREE. East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road East Lansing. (517) 351-2420. START YOUR CREATIVE BUSINESS WITH ETSY. From 10 to 11:30 a.m. Free - to register call (517) 483-1921. Small TOWN Business Development Center, LCC, 309 N. Washington Events must be entered through the calendar Sq. Suite 110 Lansing. at lansingcitypulse.com. Deadline is 5 p.m. LITERATURE-AND-POETRY Wednesdays for the following week’s issue. CHIPMUNK STORY TIME. From 10 to 11 a.m. $3/child. Charges may apply for paid events to appear Harris Nature Center, 3998 Van Atta Road Meridian in print. If you need assistance, please call Township. (517) 349-3866. Ella at (517) 999-6704. MACDONALD MIDDLE SCHOOL BOOK GROUP. From 3 to 4 p.m. FREE. MacDonald Middle School, 1601 Burcham Dr. East Lansing. (517) 333-7600. Wednesday, April 18 EVENTS* PIZZA & BOARD GAMES (AGES 6?12). From 4:30 to 5:30 CLASSES-AND-SEMINARS p.m. FREE. CADL Mason Library, 145 W. Ash St. Mason. (517) 676-9088. BACH FLOWER STRESS RELIEF. From 6 to 8 p.m. Free or donation. Willow Stick Ceremonies & Healing Arts, 335 DROP-IN LEGO CLUB (Age 4 & up). From 3:15 to 4:30 April 20-22 Seymour Ave, Suite D Lansing. 517-402-6727. p.m. FREE. CADL Webberville Library, 115 S. Main St. Webberville. (517) 521-3643. MINDFULNESS MEDITATION. From 7 to 9 p.m. Chua Van that are so closely associated with an Hanh Temple, 3015 S. Washington Lansing. IMPRESSION 5 NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SLIME!. From 5 to By JINGJING NIE 7 p.m. Free. Impression 5 Science Center, 200 Museum earlier century that we tend to overlook MSU CREATIVE WRITING CENTER GROUP. From 7 to 8 Drive Lansing. (517) 485-8116. p.m. FREE. East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road Michigan State University’s College their contribution to the 20th century,” East Lansing. (517) 351-2420. LUNCH AT THE SENIOR CENTER. From 12 to 1 p.m. suggested donations of $3.00. If you are age 59 and of Music is hosting its brand-new Song Sly said, “What we really decided was OPEN STUDIO LIFE DRAWING. From 7 to 9:30 p.m. under, there is a charge of $5.75 (this is not a suggested Cycles Conference this weekend. The that so few people would’ve heard of Model fee: $2 students (LCC, MSU, High School), $5 all donation). Meridian Senior Center, 4406 Okemos Road others. Room 208,. Kresge Art Center, 600 Auditorium Okemos. conference is titled “20th and 21st most of them that it would be wonderful East Lansing. PRESCHOOL STORYTIME IN WACOUSTA. From 11 a.m. to Century Song Cycles for Voice and if we can put a conference together with PRACTICE YOUR ENGLISH. From 7 to 8 p.m. FREE. East noon Grand Ledge Area District Library , 131 E. Jefferson scholarly presentations and have the Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road East Lansing. St Grand Ledge. 517.627.7014. Piano,” and will explore 15 complex (517) 351-2420. compositions. pieces performed live.” ARTS ROBO EXPLORERS. From 6 to 7:30 p.m. Cost: tinkrLAB Scholars and performers will come Sly and Callahan put out a call for Members - $20.00 BALLROOM LESSONS (FOX TROT). From 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Not Yet Members - $30.00. tinkrLAB, Meridian Mall, $42 per couple together to explore these 15 pieces. The proposals and the response was 1982 W Grand River Okemos. 517-233-1524. $21 individual. Jackson School of the Arts, 634 N. three day conference will consist of five overwhelming. "We’ve got many, many Mechanic St. Jackson. (517) 784-2389. STARTING A BUSINESS. From 9 to 11 a.m. Free - sessions hosted by two MSU associate people who are interested in giving to register call (517) 483-1921 . Small Business Development Center, LCC, 309 N. Washington Sq. Suite Friday, April 20 professors of music theory, Gordon Sly presentations at the conference,” Sly 110 Lansing. CLASSES-AND-SEMINARS and Michael Callahan. said. “We had many more proposals EVENTS* ELEMENTARY NEUROSCIENCE. From 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. “The conference than we accepted, we were only able to FREE. East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road East WELCOMING NEIGHBORS STORYTIME (Ages 3-6). From Lansing. (517) 351-2420. MSU Song Cycle is designed to take 15 song cycles.” 9:15 to 9:45 a.m. FREE. CADL Foster Library, 200 N. The presentations are being delivered Foster Ave. Lansing. (517) 485-5185. TRY CURLING. From 10:30 to 11:59 p.m. $25, all equipment Conference bring together provided. Suburban Ice, 2810 Hannah Blvd. East Lansing. by music professors from around the BEAT THE BREWER - Featuring Founder's KBS. From 6 April 20-22, 2.pm. both professional to 9 p.m. Free to attend. 21+ only. The Grid Arcade & LITERATURE-AND-POETRY Cook Recital Hall musicologists and country. Sly said since the presenters Bar, 226 E Grand River Ave Lansing. 517-885-3010. 333 W. Circle Dr., East STORYTIME. From 10:30 to 11 a.m. FREE. East Lansing Lansing theorists, as well as are aware that the audience will not GAMES AT THE MERIDIAN SENIOR CENTER (See Public Library, 950 Abbot Road East Lansing. (517) 351- www.music.msu. performers. It’s an be limited to scholars and musicians, Descriptions for Dates and Times). From 12:30 to 4 2420. edu/song-cycles- p.m. Bingo and Bridge- $1 - $2 per person to play. extremely unusual but will include people who simply Meridian Senior Center, 4406 Okemos Road Okemos. conference THEATER conference,” said Sly. interested into music, the presentations HOMETOWN HABITAT, STORIES OF BRINGING NATURE AUDITIONS: VICTORIA MARTIN: MATH TEAM QUEEN. From will be accessible to a broad audience. HOME. From 7 to 9 p.m. FREE. Unitarian Universalist 6 to 9 p.m. LCC Gannon Building, 422 N. Washington Sq. The presentation cycle includes Church of Greater Lansing, 5509 S. Pennsylvania Ave Lansing. Presenters and performers are Lansing. 517-351-4081. a 30-minute lecture on a piece, AUDITIONS: VICTORIA MARTIN: MATH TEAM QUEEN. From 6 immediately followed by a performance coming from all over the place Sly said. MEET "INTO THE BEAUTIFUL NORTH" AUTHOR LUIS to 9 p.m. free. LCC Gannon Building, 422 N. Washington ALBERTO URREA . From 7 to 8:30 p.m. Robin Theater, Sq. Lansing. of that same composition. After “We’ve got a music theorist from McGill 1105 S Washington Ave, Lansing, MI 48910 Lansing. 989- the performance, the audience can University in Montreal coming and we’ve 878-1810. EVENTS participate in a 15-minute follow-up got performers from all around the TEEN AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM. From 2:30 to 6 p.m. EARTH DAY STORYTIME (Ages 2?6). From 10:30 to 11:30 FREE. East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road East a.m. FREE. CADL Mason Library, 145 W. Ash St. Mason. disucssion. United States.” Lansing. (517) 351-2420. (517) 676-9088. According to Sly, Song Cycles is one Sly said it’s possible to host future TEEN RESUME WORKSHOP. From 3 to 4 p.m. FREE. East EARTH DAY CELEBRATION (Ages 5?15). From 4 to 5 p.m. of a kind. He said it blends the academic conferences like this one as well. “It Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road East Lansing. FREE. CADL Holt-Delhi Library, 2078 Aurelius Road Holt. (517) 351-2420. (517) 694-9351. nature of a collegiate conference with seems there is enough interest to do another one of these and maybe we will THE DANCING BRAIN. From 7 to 8:30 p.m. Free. Eli and FRIENDS OF THE HASLETT LIBRARY USED-BOOK SALE. the energy of a live music concert. Edythe Broad Art Museum, 547 E. Circle Drive, MSU From 5 to 7 p.m. Free. Haslett Library Building, 1590 “The idea for the conference emerged in a couple of years,” Sly said. “We want Campus East Lansing. Franklin Street Haslett. in a conversation we had about 18 months to see if we can make this one the best we can.” See Out on the Town Page 24 ago. We were talking about music genres 22 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • April 18, 2018

Jonesin' Crossword By Matt Jones Free Will Astrology By Rob Brezsny April 18 - 24, 2018

"Duty: Free"--here Aries (March 21-April 19) In the early history of the the tune anyway. Surprise! Blue Velvet was nominated comes the freestyle automobile, electric engines were more popular and for an Academy Award and played a big role in puzzle. common than gasoline-powered engines. They were reviving Orbison's fame. Later the singer came to Across less noisy, dirty, smelly, and difficult to operate. It's appreciate not only the career boost, but also Lynch's 1 Cart food served in a too bad that thereafter the technology for gasoline unusual aesthetic, testifying that the film gave his soft corn tortilla cars developed at a faster rate than the technology song an "otherworldly quality that added a whole 11 Former U.N. for electric cars. By the end of the first decade of new dimension." Now let's meditate on how this story Secretary General the twentieth century, the petroleum-suckers were might serve as a parable for your life. Was there an Hammarskjˆld in ascendance. They have remained so ever since, 14 Phone-based games playing a significant role in our world's ongoing opportunity that you once turned down but will benefit where quizzers often environmental degradation. Moral of the story: from anyway? Or is there a current opportunity that play for cash prizes Sometimes the original idea or the early model or maybe you shouldn't turn down, even if it seems odd? 15 Oscar ___ Hoya the first try is better. According to my analysis of the Scorpio (October 23-November 21) You've been to the 16 Like some geometric astrological omens, you should consider applying this Land of No Return and back more than anyone. But curves hypothesis to your current state of affairs. soon you'll be visiting a remote enclave in this realm 17 Nasty Taurus (April 20-May 20) The Chesapeake Bay is a that you're not very familiar with. I call it the Mother 18 St. Tropez summer fertile estuary that teems with life. It's 200 miles long Lode of Sexy Truth. It's where tender explorers go 19 Inventor Whitney and holds 18 trillion gallons of water. More than 150 when they must transform outworn aspects of their streams and rivers course into its drainage basin. 20 Obtrude approach to partnership and togetherness. On the And yet it's relatively shallow. If you're six feet tall, 22 Solitary eve of your quest, shall we conduct an inventory of you could wade through over a thousand square 24 "I'd like to speak to your capacity to outgrow your habitual assumptions your supervisor," e.g. miles of its mix of fresh and salt water without getting about relationships? No, let's not. That sounds too 27 "Dallas" family name your hat wet. I see this place as an apt metaphor for your life in the coming weeks: an expanse of flowing stiff and formal. Instead, I'll simply ask you to strip 29 Flip option fecundity that is vast but not so deep that you'll get away any falseness that interferes with vivacious and 30 Recombinant stuff overwhelmed. catalytic intimacy. 31 They're silent and Gemini (May 21-June 20) You'll soon arrive at a Sagittarius (November 22-December 21) In 1824, two deadly pressure-packed turning point. You'll stand poised British explorers climbed a mountain in southwestern 33 "I Need a Dollar" at a pivotal twist of fate where you must trust your Australia. They were hoping to get a sweeping view singer Aloe ___ intuition to reveal the differences between smart of Port Phillip Bay, on which the present-day city of 35 Namibia's neighbor risks and careless gambles. Are you willing to let your Melbourne is located. But when they reached the top, 36 Calculus for dentists 65 Rolls over a house? 13 Lead ore 46 Takes an oath half-naked emotions show? Will you have the courage their view was largely obstructed by trees. Out of 40 Country east of 66 Short religious 15 Branch of govt. 48 Be way off the mark to be brazenly loyal to your deepest values? I won't perverse spite, they decided to call the peak Mount Eritrea segment on old TV 21 Makeup with an 51 New Bohemians lead wish you luck, because how the story evolves will be broadcasts Disappointment, a name it retains to this day. I suspect 43 Beethoven's Third applicator singer Brickell fueled solely by your determination, not by accident Symphony Down 23 "Hope you like it!" 52 Almost on the hour or happenstance. You will know you're in a good you may soon have your own personal version of 44 Double-decker, e.g. 1 Island where Napoleon 25 Truck compartment 56 Investigation position to solve the Big Riddles if they feel both scary an adventure that falls short of your expectations. died 47 Cave ___ ("Beware of 26 Feel unwell Discovery host Paula and fun. I hope -- and also predict -- that your experience dog," to Caesar) 2 Be active in a game, 60 Hydrocarbon suffix Cancer (June 21-July 22) Strong softness is one of won't demoralize you, but will rather mobilize you to e.g. 28 Actor Johnny of "The 49 Fur trader John Big Bang Theory" and 61 Open-reel tape your specialties. So are empathetic rigor, creative attempt a new experiment that ultimately surpasses Jacob 3 Going from green to "Roseanne" precursor to VCRs (and responsiveness, and daring acts of nurturing. Now is your original expectations. yellow, maybe 50 Customary to the 32 TV host Bee and similar, except for the a perfect time to summon and express all of these Capricorn (December 22-January 19) Capricorn rock 4 The day before the letter for "tape") present blues singer Fish, for qualities with extra flair. If you do, your influence musician Lemmy Kilmister bragged that he swigged a big day two 62 "I hadn't thought of 53 Pivot on an axis will exceed its normal quotas. Your ability to heal bottle of Jack Daniel's whiskey every day from 1975 to 5 Cork's country, in 34 Traverse that" and inspire your favorite people will be at a peak. 54 Make further Gaelic 2013. While I admire his dedication to inducing altered corrections So I hereby invite you to explore the frontiers of 37 Golf club brand states of consciousness, I can't recommend such a 6 Word after coffee or aggressive receptivity. Wield your courage and power 55 "Oh yeah? ___ who?" time 38 Connection to a strategy for you. But I will love it if you undertake a 57 "And many more" power supply with a fierce vulnerability. Be tenderly sensitive as 7 Follower of Lao-tzu an antidote to any headstrong lovelessness you more disciplined crusade to escape numbing routines 58 "Caprica" actor 39 Uncommon example 8 ___.de.ap (Black Eyed encounter. and irrelevant habits in the next four weeks. According Morales Peas member) 41 Brian once of Roxy Music Leo (July 23-August 22) In 1973, Pink Floyd released to my reading of the astrological omens, you will have 59 Popular request at a 9 Cost-of-living stat bar mitzvah 42 Not quite improved? the album The Dark Side of the Moon. Since then, it a special knack for this practical art. 10 Swing to and fro has been on various Billboard charts for over 1,700 Aquarius (January 20- February 18) Germany was 63 "Okay" 44 Minimalist to the max 11 Lacking, with "of" weeks, and has sold more than 45 million copies. one of the big losers of World War I, which ended in 64 Complete opposites 45 Depletes 12 Novelist Lurie Judging from the astrological aspects coming to bear 1919. By accepting the terms of the Versailles Treaty, on you, Leo, I suspect you could create or produce a it agreed to pay reparations equivalent to 96,000 tons ©2017 Jonesin’ Crosswords • For answers to this puzzle, call: 1-900-226-2800, 99 cents per minute. Must be 18+. Or to bill to beautiful thing with a similar staying power in the next of gold. Not until 2010, decades after the war, did your credit card, call: 1-800-655-6548. Ans wers Page 24 five months. What vitalizing influence would you like to Germany finally settle its bill and fulfill its obligation. have in your life for at least the next 30 years? I'm sure your own big, long-running debt is nowhere Virgo (August 23-September 22) I beg you to take a break sometime soon. Give yourself permission to near as big or as long-running as that one, Aquarius. SUDOKU ADVANCED indulge in a vacation or recess or sabbatical. Wander But you will nonetheless have reason to be ecstatic away on a leave of absence. Explore the mysteries of a when you finally discharge it. And according to my TO PLAY siesta blended with a fiesta. If you don't grant yourself reading of the astrological omens, that could and this favor, I may be forced to bark "Chill out, dammit!" should happen sometime soon. (P.S. The "debt" could at you until you do. Please don't misunderstand my be emotional or spiritual rather than financial.) Fill in the grid so that every intention here. The rest of us appreciate the way Pisces (February 19-March 20) "I would rather have a row, column, and outlined you've been attending to the complicated details that drop of luck than a barrel of brains," said the ancient are too exacting for us. But we can also see that if Greek philosopher Diogenes. Fortunately, that's not you don't ease up, there will soon be diminishing 3-by-3 box contains the a choice you will have to face in the coming weeks, returns. It's time to return to your studies of relaxing Pisces. According to my reading of the cosmic signs, numbers 1 through 9 exactly freedom. Libra (September 23-October 22) Singer- songwriter Roy Orbison achieved great success in your brain will be working with even greater efficiency once. No guessing is required. the 1960s, charting 22 songs on the Billboard Top and ingenuity than it usually does. Meanwhile, a The solution is unique. 40. But his career declined after that. Years later, in stronger-than-expected flow of luck will be swirling 1986, filmmaker David Lynch asked him for the right around in your vicinity. One of your main tasks will be to use his tune "In Dreams" for the movie Blue Velvet. to harness your enhanced intelligence to take shrewd Answers on page 24 Orbison denied the request, but Lynch incorporated advantage of the good fortune.

Go to RealAstrology.com to check out Rob Brezsny’s EXPANDED WEEKLY AUDIO HOROSCOPES and DAILY TEXT MESSAGE HOROSCOPES. The audio horoscopes are also available by phone at 1-877-873-4888 or 1-900-950-7700. City Pulse • April 18, 2018 www.lansingcitypulse.com 23

A survey of Lansing’s Musical LAndscape TURN IT D WNBy RICH TUPICA Ron Jeremy & Three Stacks Friends Comedy The Alt Sat. June 23 Music Festival Thur. April 26 Show Fri. April 20

Alt-music fest launches in REO Town Porn star’s comedy show stops at Loft Folk super group hits ‘The Fiddle’

Friday, April 20, @ MSU Community Music School, Saturday, June 23, @ 1100 block of S. Washington, Thursday, April 26, @ The Loft, 414 E. Michigan REO Town Lansing. All ages, $35, $30 adv., 2 p.m. 4930 Hagadorn Road, East Lansing. All ages, Ave., Lansing. 18+, $15, 8 p.m. $20, $18 members, $5 students. 7:30 p.m Against Me!, Screaming Females and Murder By Death Adult film legend Ron Jeremy has been a mustachioed The Alt, a group comprising John Doyle, Eamon O’Leary are just three of the bands slated for the inaugural Three iconic figure in the pornography industry since his and Cathy Jordan, perform a Ten Pound Fiddle show Stacks Music Festival. Founded by Lansing-based concert debut in 1979. This year, he—and a number of other Friday at the MSU Community Music School. Each promoter Fusion Shows, the outdoor summer concert comedians—embark on the Ron Jeremy and Friends member of the trio is a master of Irish music and features a “diverse set of acts within the alternative Comedy Show tour. The show, which stops Thursday specializes in new, old and rediscovered ballads that realm,” according to its organizers. Sharing the bill are PUP, at The Loft, also features a Q&A session and meet- embrace the heritage of Irish immigrants who settled in mewithoutYou, Camp Cope, Petal and City Mouse—more and-greet after the show. The hairy New York native, Appalachia—where Irish songs helped create old-time acts will be announced. Fusion Shows, which hopes for now 65 years old, has branched out into other more country and bluegrass music. The Alt even recorded over 2,000 attendees its first year, describes this first-ever mainstream ventures since the ’90s, including small its self-titled debut LP at a cabin in North Carolina’s event as an “outdoor street fair” that “pays homage to the film parts in “Detroit Rock City,” “The Boondock Appalachian Mountains. Doyle, the trio’s vocalist iconic smokestacks of the Eckert Power Plant.” The music Saints” and “Killing Zoe,” to only name a few. In 2004, who also plays guitar and bouzouki, has worked with happens on the 1100 block of S. Washington Avenue, with he was prominently featured on the second season of many Irish music fixtures, including Solas, Liz Carroll one main outdoor stage and various other pop-up sets. VH1’s “The Surreal Life” celeb-reality show. He’s also and Eileen Ivers. “Doyle on guitar has risen to a level Local artists and food vendors will also be on hand, along made plenty of cameos in music videos, including occupied by him alone,” said Earle Hitchener of The with plenty of Michigan craft beer options. Tickets are on spots for Guns n’ Roses, Insane Clown Posse, Flight Wall Street Journal. “No one in Irish traditional music is sale at threestacksfest.com. of the Conchords, and more. a better guitarist than him right now.”

DESTINATION WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY The Avenue Café, 2021 E. Michigan Ave. Service Industry Night Crunchy's, 254 W. Grand River Ave. Karaoke, 9 p.m. Karaoke, 9 p.m. Karaoke, 9 p.m. LIVE Coach's, 6201 Bishop Road DJ Trivia Capitol Sun Dogs DJ Muzik Esquire, 1250 Turner St. Karaoke, 9 p.m. The Exchange, 314 E. Michigan Ave. The Good Cookies, 8 p.m. Mike Skory & Friends Open Mic, 8:30 p.m. Avon Bomb Avon Bomb AND Green Door, 2005 E. Michigan Ave. Johnny D Blues Night Karaoke Medusa Roux Lansing Brewing Co., 518 E Shiawassee St. Delilah DeWylde & The Lost Boys, 8pm Lockwood, 8pm The Loft, 414 E. Michigan Ave. Broccoli Samurai, 9pm The Plastic Bears, 9pm Codes, 9pm Reno's East, 1310 Abbot Rd. East Lansing The New Rule, 7pm The New Rule, 7pm LOCAL The Unicorn, 327 Cesar E Chavez Ave. Open Mic Stand Up, 8pm Music Bingo, 8pm John Patrick Peter's Band, 9pm Underground EDM Night, 9pm UPCOMING SHOW? CONTACT UrbanBeat, 1213 Turner St. [email protected] Watershed Tavern and Grill, 5965 Marsh Rd. Capital City DJ's Capital City DJ's 24 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • April 18, 2018

MSU OBSERVATORY: HOW WE OBSERVE OUR UNIVERSE. EVENTS CADL South Lansing Library, 3500 S. Cedar St. Lansing. Nature Center, 3998 Van Atta Road Meridian Township. From 7 to 11 p.m. Free. MSU Observatory, located at the (517) 272-9840. (517) 349-3866. corner of Forest and College Roads MSU Campus, East 2018 FUR BALL GALA. From 6 to 11 p.m. $100 per person; Lansing. $75 per dog; table sponsorships available. Eagle Eye Golf MERIDIAN RECYCLING EVENT. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. FREE THE GRID 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY PARTY. From noon to 1 Club, 15500 Chandler Road East Lansing. (517) 641-4570. - suggested donations for some items.. Chippeaw Middle a.m. This a free event. 21+ only.. The Grid Arcade & Bar, MSU SCIENCE FESTIVAL STATEWIDE ASTRONOMY NIGHT. School, 4000 N. Okemos Road Okemos. 226 E Grand River Ave Lansing. 517-885-3010. From 7 p.m. to 12 a.m. Free. Abrams Planetarium, 755 BIG GREEN GIG. From 3 to 6 p.m. free. Valley Court Park, Science Road East Lansing. (517) 355-4672. 400 Hillside Ct. East Lansing. Dinner Dance. From 5:30 MOM2MOM SALE. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Admission is THE LIGHT HOUSE CHAPEL SPAGHETTI DINNER. From 4 to to 11 p.m. Cost of dinner is $10.00 ($4.00 for children 11 free for shoppers. Resale tables are $25 each.. Lansing 7 p.m. Spaghetti Dinner/Fundraiser : $12 at door ~ $10 in Saturday, April 21 and younger). Cost of dance is $6.00 (free for children Christian School, 3405 Belle Chase Way Lansing. (517) advance ~ $5 Children under 12. The Light House Chapel, 11 and younger).. Lansing Liederkranz Club, 5828 S. 882-5779. 1501 Windsor St. Lansing. CLASSES-AND-SEMINARS Pennsylvania Ave. Lansing. OKEMOS MASONIC CHICKEN DINNER. From 3 to 6 p.m. UKULELE STRUM-N-SING (ADULTS & TEENS). From 10 SONGBIRD NEST BOX WORKSHOP. From 2 to 3:30 p.m. DOME ROAM 5K FUN RUN WALK ROLL. From 11 a.m. to 2 Adults $10, Children $5, Children under 4 are free. a.m. to noon FREE. CADL Okemos Library, 4321 Okemos Free event. Fees for nest boxes to take home. Harris p.m. $25, all students $20 pre-registered, Onsite day of Okemos Masonic Center , 2175 Hamilton Road Okemos. Road Okemos. (517) 347-2021. Nature Center, 3998 Van Atta Road Meridian Township. registration at 11AM ($5 more) https://www.sgpbiodome. (517) 349-3866. com/dome-roam-5k. Auditorium Field, 542 Auditorium Rd PRESERVING FAMILY HISTORY (ADULTS). From 2 to 3 p.m. ARTS East Lansing. 517-927-2447. FREE. CADL Downtown Lansing Library, 401 S. Capitol THE INTERNET OF THINGS (IOT). From 11 to 1 p.m. Cost: Ave. Lansing. (517) 367-6300. CHARM BANGLE. From 6 to 8 p.m. $45 Each. Delphi Glass, tinkrLAB Member - $20.00 DRAW OR BE DRAWN. From 7 to 9:30 p.m. free. Blue Owl 3380 E Jolly Rd. Lansing. 1-800-248-2048. Not Yet Member - $30.00. tinkrLAB, Meridian Mall, 1982 Coffee Co. , 1149 S Washington Ave Lansing. (517) 575- SPRING OPEN HOUSE PARTY. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. FREE. W Grand River Okemos. 517-233-1524. 6836. Rassel-Daigneault Family Chiropractic, 537 N. Clippert St. Lansing. Sunday, April 22 LITERATURE-AND-POETRY EARTH DAY EXTRAVAGANZA. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. FREE. Fenner Nature Center, 2020 E. Mount Hope Ave. Lansing. STEWARDSHIP MORNING. From 9 to 11 a.m. Free. Harris CLASSES-AND-SEMINARS BOOKS AND BAGELS. From 2 to 3 p.m. FREE. East Lansing (517) 483-4224. Public Library, 950 Abbot Road East Lansing. (517) 351- 2420. FAMILY FREE EVENT! SPRING CARNIVAL & OPEN HOUSE. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18 >> MICHIGAN ARTS ADVOCACY DAY From 10 a.m. to noon Free . Gilden Woods Early Care CHILDREN'S SOCIAL JUSTICE READING GROUP. From 10:30 and Preschool of Grand Ledge, 11920 Nixon Rd. Grand a.m. to noon FREE. East Lansing Public Library, 950 Ledge. 269-430-3156. Michigan Arts Advocacy Day is coming back to Lansing after a decade long hiatus for a full program of Abbot Road East Lansing. (517) 351-2420. FAMILY TREE TALK (ADULTS). From 2 to 3 p.m. FREE. creative conversation and performances starting at 9 a.m. The rally will be hosted by Creative Many Michigan, an organization dedicated toward advancing the creative industries. Arts Advocacy Day hopes to bring together over 100 people from across the state to make the case for preserving funding for the creative sector. Before heading to meet with their lawmakers, attendees will hear from speakers The Art Work representing nonprofit arts and culture organizations, arts educators, creative practitioners, and the of design sector. JULIAN Lansing Capitol, 10 a.m. Free, 100 N. Capitol Ave., Lansing VAN DYKE http://www.creativemany.org/ Storied Images is the title of artist Julian Van Dyke’s latest art show FRIDAY, APRIL 20 >> MACEO PARKER: “TO RAY WITH LOVE” opening April 19th-29th at the Keys to Creativity Event Center located at the Lansing Mall. Some of the art work that will be exhibited is a reflection of storied images of Riverwalk Theatre’s upcoming production of Maceo Parker’s thunderous tribute performance in honor of Ray Charles is coming to the Wharton “Bud, Not Buddy” in which is a part of the cast. Center Friday. Maceo Parker is a world renowned saxophonist, who has performed both with James Brown and Parliament-Funkadelic. Parker’s performance debuted at the Hollywood Bowl in 2016 and was For more information: 517-657-2770 • keysart.org or vandykeart.com followed up by a show at the Monterey Jazz Festival, where it was lauded by music critics. 8 p.m., $20, Pasant Theatre, Wharton Center, 750 E. Shaw Lane, East Lansing, www.whartoncenter.com

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Okemos. NATURALIZATION (ADULTS). From 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. FREE. Woldumar Nature Center, 5739 Old Lansing Road JUGGLING. From 2 to 4 p.m. FREE. Orchard Street CADL South Lansing Library, 3500 S. Cedar St. Lansing. Lansing. Tuesday Games. From 1 to 4 p.m. Euchre, Free Pumphouse, 368 Orchard St. East Lansing. MONDAY MOVIE MATINEE. At 1 p.m. FREE. East Lansing (517) 272-9840. Bridge, $1 - $2 per person. Meridian Senior Center, 4406 Public Library, 950 Abbot Road East Lansing. (517) 351- Okemos Road Okemos. MUSIC 2420. EARLY LITERACY PLAYTIME (Ages up to 5). From 10:30 to HAMILTUNES. From 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. FREE. East Lansing SPEAK UP ABOUT ORAL CANCER PRESENTED BY THE 11:30 a.m. FREE. CADL Williamston Library, 201 School St. Public Library, 950 Abbot Road East Lansing. (517) 351- DELTA DENTAL FOUNDATION. From 1 to 2 p.m. Lansing Williamston. (517) 655-1191. 2420. Community College, Gannon Building, 422 N. Washington Square Lansing. SPRING MIGRATION BIRD WALK. From 8 to 10 a.m. Free. EVENTS ARTS WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18>> MSU TAIWAN FILM FESTIVAL CADL AT GREATER LANSING BABY FAIR. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lansing Center, 333 E. Michigan Ave. Lansing. SILHOUETTE MOSAICS. From 6 to 8 p.m. $45 Each. Delphi Glass, 3380 E Jolly Rd. Lansing. 1-800-248-2048. Four contemporary Taiwanese films, “Meeting Dr. Sun,” “Small Talk,” “Missing Johnny,” and “The Great CIRQUE DU SCI. From 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Free. Zoobie\'s Buddha” will be shown by MSU’s Asian Studies Center. Each film will be supplemented with an informal Old Town Tavern, 611 E. Grand River Ave. Lansing. Tuesday, April 24 lecture by Paul Bach Jr. The showing of “Small Talk,” a personal documentary on LGBTQ issues in Taiwan, EXPERIENCE CAMEROONIAN FOOD (All ages). From 2 to CLASSES-AND-SEMINARS will feature an appearance by the film’s director Huang Hui-Chen. Her film won the coveted Teddy Award 3 p.m. FREE. CADL Downtown Lansing Library, 401 S. Capitol Ave. Lansing. (517) 367-6300. FACIAL REJUVENATION . From 6 p.m. to 7 a.m. Free. Dawe at the 2017 Berlin International Film Festival. Auditorium, 2720 S. Washington Ave. Lansing. Wells Hall, MSU, 619 Red Cedar Road, East Lansing, www.facebook.com/MSUTSA, Free, SPRING TEA PARTY. From 1 to 3:30 p.m. Tickets can also be purchased on Eventbrite. MAKE YOUR BUSINESS LEGAL. From 6 to 8 p.m. Free - to Wednesday, April 18, 6 p.m., Thursday, April 19, 6 p.m. to Friday, April 20, 4:30 p.m. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spring-tea-party- register call (517) 483-1921. Small Business Development tickets-44041569520 Center, LCC, 309 N. Washington Sq. Suite 110 Lansing. . Charlar Place, 4230 Charlar Drive Holt. TUESDAY CRAFTERNOONS. From 12 to 2 p.m. No charge.. ARTS Keys to Creativity, 5746 W. Saginaw Highway Lansing. OPENING RECEPTION STORIED IMAGES BY JULIAN LITERATURE-AND-POETRY VANDYKE. From 5 to 7 p.m. No charge for this event.. Keys to Creativity, 5746 W. Saginaw Highway Lansing. MONEY SMART WEEK: STORYTIME. From 10:30 to 11 a.m. FREE. East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road East Monday, April 23 Lansing. (517) 351-2420. Hui-Chen CLASSES-AND-SEMINARS TODDLERTIME. From 10:30 to 11 a.m. FREE. East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road East Lansing. (517) 351- FRENCH CLUB. From 7 to 8 p.m. FREE. East Lansing Public 2420. Library, 950 Abbot Road East Lansing. (517) 351-2420. MUSIC 517-272-7979 LIGHT UP PAPER FLOWERS. From 6 to 7 p.m. Cost: tinkrLAB Members - $20.00 JAZZ TUESDAYS AT MORIARTY'S. From 7 to 10 p.m. FREE. tacosemas.com Not Yet Members - $30.00. tinkrLAB, Meridian Mall, 1982 Moriarty's Pub, 802 E. Michigan Ave. Lansing. (517) 485- W Grand River Okemos. 517-233-1524. 5287. 3500 S. Cedar St. Lansing, MI 48910 LITERATURE-AND-POETRY THE SCRATCH PILOTS PRESENT: TURNTABLE TUESDAYS. From 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. FREE. The Green Door, 2005 E. BABYTIME. From 10:30 to 11 a.m. FREE. East Lansing Michigan Ave. Lansing. (517) 482-6376. MON-WED: 11AM - 10PM Public Library, 950 Abbot Road East Lansing. (517) 351- THUR-SAT: 11AM-11PM 2420. TUESDAY IS BLUES-DAY AT URBANBEAT. From 7 to 10 p.m. UrbanBeat Event Center, 1213 Turner St. Lansing. SUN: 11AM - 9PM OUT OF THIS WORLD BOOK CLUB. At 7 p.m. FREE. East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road East Lansing. EVENTS (517) 351-2420. STOP MOTION ANIMATION (AGES 7-17). From 4 to 5 p.m. EVENTS FREE. CADL Holt-Delhi Library, 2078 Aurelius Road Holt. (517) 694-9351. Dine In • Carry Out • Delivery MAKER MONDAY (ALL AGES). From 3:30 to 5 p.m. FREE. CADL Williamston Library, 201 School St. Williamston. BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP (ADULTS). From 7 to 8 (517) 655-1191. p.m. FREE. CADL Webberville Library, 115 S. Main St. Webberville. (517) 521-3643. MERIDIAN SENIORS BOOKLOVERS GROUP. From 11 a.m. to noon FREE. Meridian Senior Center, 4406 Okemos Road DISPELLING MYTHS ABOUT IMMIGRATION AND

FRIDAY, APRIL 20 >> AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR CHRISTOPHER PAUL CURTIS VISITS RIVERWALK THEATRE

Noted author Christopher Paul Curtis will visit Lansing to attend a reception prior to Friday’s performance of “Bud, Not Buddy” at Riverwalk Theatre. The book was adapted for the the stage by playwright Reginald Andre Jackson. The event is a special fundraising benefit for the organization Lansing Reading is Fundamental. An audience talk-back with Curtis will follow the performance. 8 p.m., $22, Riverwalk Theatre, 228 Museum Drive, Lansing www.riverwalktheatre.com

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By MARK NIXON ny gravy. Swimming in the gravy were ten- By GABRIELLE LAWRENCE The fries were totally unseasoned, but der but relatively tasteless hunks of white the black beans had some heat to them and There has to be a secret society out there chicken meat. There was a scant showing Depending upon your generation and retained their structure, unlike all of the whose members are current and former of vegetables as well. how long you’ve lived in Lansing, you other components of the vegetable plate restaurant critics. Call it “Critics Anony- The cornmeal-battered whitefish ($8.79) might remember eating at places like Jim’s that I tried on a subsequent visit. I under- mous.” was a hot — Tiffany, The stand that not many people care about the They gather, and one by one, they con- make that Parthenon, integrity of the broccoli, corn, and green fess their sins. “Hi. My name is Mark. I’m lukewarm — Mediteran beans at a place that is known for burgers a restaurant critic, but honestly, what the mess. White- or Mountain and ribs, but I do, and when those things hell do I know?” fish is so mild Jack’s. For me, are steamed to the point that I could feed This came to mind as I was walking tasting that the restaurant them to my toothless baby, it shows a lack out of Cheddar’s recently. We had entered it’s hard to that brings me of attention to even the most mundane de- about an hour earlier, just after 5 p.m., and compete with the most feel- tail. there was a sizable group of folks in the lob- corn meal. I ings of nostal- We still ordered a Cookie Monster, be- by, waiting for a table. When we left just af- don’t know gia is Ched- cause I’m nothing if not a creature of habit. ter 6 p.m., there was a sizable line standing how to rescue dar’s. When I It is the quintessential Cheddar’s dessert outside in the chill of the evening. Waiting this dish. I’ve was a Big Red, and one that I’ve recreated at home sever- to get in. For what? Meh food? Spotty ser- had excellent on the last al times in the past 15 years. A piping hot vice? pecan-en- day of every skillet is brought to your table, filled with Yet, there they were. So the critic must crusted school year, an oversized chocolate chip cookie that is ask himself, “What the hell do I know?” whitefish at a large group topped with vanilla ice cream, a heavy driz- I know Cheddar’s’ food gets an “A” for the Common Grill in Chelsea, and some- of us went to Cheddar’s for lunch. We ate zle of hot fudge, whipped cream, chopped Average, and an “E” for Excellent, as in ex- how, the fish didn’t play second fiddle to chicken fingers, spasagna, burgers and peanuts and a cherry. I remembered it as cellent location, perched on a busy corner the pecans. fries, and we always ended the meal with being absolutely decadent and absolutely across from the Lansing Mall. Hundreds A side of Mac and cheese accompanying the most delicious thing I had ever eaten — worth the zillion calories that each skillet of cars stream past on Saginaw Highway my entree gets failing the Cookie Monster. contains. every hour. Cheddar’s is certain to draw marks on two counts. I It was with nostal- Upon further inspection, and much like plenty of incidental customers, as opposed couldn’t taste any cheese, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen gia flowing through my many other bygone aspects of high school and I had to send it back 5719 W Saginaw Hwy. — my metabolism, being able to spend to destination diners. Yet on one visit, we Lansing, MI 48917 veins that we went to sat at the bar next to a friendly couple, and because it was slouching (517) 323-4963 Cheddar’s for a recent my entire paycheck on clothes and CDs if they like this place. They are regulars. They toward Cold Country. Sun. - Thurs. 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. dinner. We waited for a I wanted to — the Cookie Monster doesn’t Fri. & Sat. 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. must know something I don’t. Similarly, Judy’s side www.cheddars.com table for about 20 min- stand the test of time. The best things I tasted over the course of broccoli casserole utes while Baby She Ate In 2016, I read an article written by An- of two visits were the six-ounce sirloin competed with the Mac mercifully slept in his drew Knowlton for Bon Appetit magazine. topped with crab sauce ($9.99) and tem- and cheese for Most Boring Item on the car seat. We quickly ordered an appetiz- It was an ode to Hillstone Restaurant, pura-battered onion rings ($5.59). Judy or- Menu. er of cheese bites, which upon first glance a chain operation similar to Cheddar’s. dered the steak rare, and I snagged a taste. The service was friendly if not always resembled my guilty pleasure IPA cheese He painted such an exquisite picture of a It was perfectly broiled. And while I don’t punctual. I fully understand that when a bombs at Lansing Brewing Co. I’ve heard thoughtfully curated and well executed usually muck up a good steak with sauces, restaurant is slammed, prompt service is a that LBC has removed these from the restaurant that I became obsessed with the I thought the creamy crab sauce added tex- likely casualty. What I didn’t understand is menu, and I was hoping that I’d found an idea of going there. On a trip to Phoenix ture and contrast to this entree. how long people had to wait in the lobby acceptable alternative. last fall, we made it happen. We both agreed that a light, tempura bat- for a host to acknowledge them, get their Alas that was not the case, and what The service was absolutely second to ter on onion rings and, really, most vegeta- names and, finally, seat them. That’s why, should have been a bite of flavorful, hot, none, and our server fell over himself apol- bles, is the way to go. Sadly, the rings were on our second visit, I gave up trying to get gooey mozzarella was more like a tasteless ogizing because the kitchen had run out of cool to the touch and had to be sent back. on the waiting list. We ate at the bar. gluey raw oyster, but hot. I optimistically some menu items by 10:30 p.m. on a Sat- In descending order of goodness, here So now I’ve come full circle, still pon- soldiered on and ordered the lemon pep- urday, which was totally acceptable to me. are some other tastes we sampled at Ched- dering what makes this restaurant so pop- per chicken with a baked sweet potato and The biggest takeaway from the article, dar’s. The barbecued ribs were tender and ular. One answer sits beside me as I write steamed broccoli. The broccoli was steamed and from my subsequent dining experi- smoky. Far from the best in town, but still this. The bill. We shared two entrees, had to death. The sweet potato was fine, but put ence, is simple — it is possible to operate a fine. I paired up the ribs with barbecued four alcoholic drinks and one side of onion a big dollop of cinnamon butter on a piece chain restaurant that isn’t full of mass-pro- chicken ($14.49). The chicken was crispy rings. The tally was less than $54 which, of Bubble Wrap and I’ll consider eating it. duced, mediocre food. on the outside, but the inside was as dry as by today’s standards, is a decent bargain. The chicken was forgettable. It’s easy to take broccoli out of the steam- an insurance policy. Just one comparison: A Texas Margarita at Mr. She Ate, on the other hand, decided er two minutes earlier, or to season your The chicken tortilla soup ($3.49 per cup) Cheddar’s is $4.79. A tequila-based Drunk- to take full advantage of his experience and french fries, or to whip heavy cream instead has a tomato-based broth. The best part en Donkey at The Cosmos/Zoobie’s (my fa- ordered a full rack of ribs with fries, baked of squirt it out of a can. of this side is that the kitchen added tor- vorite local restaurant) is $9.00. beans, and something called a Texas sweet As more and more diners pay closer at- tilla strips just before serving, so that the Some day, I’ll be on Lansing’s west side tea. His drink was heaved onto the table by tention to where they spend their dining strips were still crunchy when they met my again, passing Cheddar’s with its jammed our petite server and the alcohol positively budget and demand a higher quality ex- mouth. parking lot and folks waiting outside. I’ll rolled off it. His ribs were surprisingly fla- perience, I hope that our major restaurant The chicken potpie ($7.99) had a tender, just keep driving. Wouldn’t want to be late vorful and well-prepared, he noticed, as he chains listen to what the people want and flaky crust. Inside, however, lurked a run- for my Critics Anonymous meeting. effortlessly pulled the meat off the bone. do things a bit more thoughtfully. City Pulse • April 18, 2018 www.lansingcitypulse.com 27

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