Oct. 30 - Nov. 6, 2019 www.lansingcitypulse.com Locally owned • A newspaper for the rest of us The Prisoner’s Apothecary Visiting MSU artist plants seeds to a revolution See page 15 2 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • October 30, 2019 Thanksgiving Fresh includes materials, snacks & refreshments Cut Flower $ Call the Floral Shop Centerpiece Class 45 517-372-5610 to reserve your spot City Pulse • October 30, 2019 www.lansingcitypulse.com 3 Favorite Tings Kewpee’s owner Autumn Weston and her Kewpie doll BWL Seeks Public Input on Future Energy Plan for Region The BWL will host open houses to seek public input as we update our plan to continue delivering cleaner, affordable and reliable power to the region. Join us at one of the dates below to learn about the BWL’s new Integrated Resource Plan People really don’t know how to that’s been part of us since we started (IRP), which will serve as the foundation for our take the baby. People don’t even know in 1923. I’m a fourth-generation own- what to call our mascot. Some know er and we always got Kewpie dolls for new strategic plan. what a Kewpie doll is, but most just our birthdays. I always thought “Can’t call it the “creepy baby.” Even I’m I get a Cabbage Patch doll or Barbie Wednesday, Nov. 6, 4:30-7pm guilty of that. I’ve got two tattoos of or something? This baby doesn’t even BWL REO Depot, 1201 S. Washington Ave., Lansing them so I don’t think they are that have clothes to play with.” creepy. I think they are kinda cute. Now people send us these from all Thursday, Nov. 7, 4:30-7pm The doll is my favorite thing because over even if it is something that just E. Lansing Public Library (large meeting room) there are always so many people who has a Kewpie doll on it. A lot of our come in wondering what this is. It is postcards we have hanging through- 950 Abbot Road, E. Lansing definitely a conversation piece. out the restaurant have Kewpies on The doll is spelled like “Kewpie” them. Wednesday, Nov. 13, 4:30-7pm and Kewpee the burger place piggy- We once had a really cool lady that Delta Twp. District Library (Elmwood Room) backed on it as a mascot. We are one brought us a bride and groom Kewpie 5130 Davenport Drive, Lansing of the three last remaining Kewpee’s couple that is three feet tall. They franchises. I really wish I knew why picked them up at a flea market in Thursday, Nov. 14, 4:30-7pm the founders did that. Japan and brought them back for us. Alfreda Schmidt Center (Community Room) The doll, which was created by It was super cool. Rose O’Neill, was so popular in the My mom has a collection of over 5825 Wise Road, Lansing early 1900s, they must’ve went after 150 of these dolls at home. We want it. I never got a full reasoning why to put them on display and have a Tuesday, Nov. 19, 9am-noon they did it, but I think it is unique locking glass case so people come to BWL REO Depot, 1201 S. Washington Ave., Lansing for a restaurant to have a mascot of a see them. naked baby on it. We like to think we’ll continue to More information about the BWL’s energy plans Growing up with it, it was one of make it ours. can be found at those things people acknowledge. A (This interview was edited and lot of people see this and talk about condensed by Dennis Burck. If you www.LansingEnergyTomorrow.com. good memories of Kewpie dolls back have a recommendation for “Favorite in the day. Things,” please email dennis@lan- It’s been on our original wrapper singcitypulse.com.) 4 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • October 30, 2019 VOL. 19 ISSUE 12 (517) 371-5600 • Fax: (517) 999-6061 • 1905 E. Michigan Ave. • Lansing, MI 48912 • www.lansingcitypulse.com ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: (517) 999-5061 or email [email protected] PAGE CLASSIFIEDS: (517) 999-6704 EDITOR AND PUBLISHER • Berl Schwartz 6 [email protected] • (517) 999-5061 ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR • Audrey Matusz A sculpture fit for a roundabout? [email protected] • (517) 999-5068 EVENTS EDITOR/OFFICE MANAGER • Suzi Smith [email protected] • (517) 999-6704 PRODUCTION MANAGER • Skyler Ashley PAGE [email protected] (517) 999-5066 12 MARKETING DIRECTOR • Sarah Dropsey [email protected], (517) 999-6707 Angelitos and ofrendas this weekend STAFF WRITERS • Lawrence Cosentino [email protected] • (517) 999-5065 Dennis Burck • [email protected] (517) 999-6705 PAGE Chris Gray • [email protected] (517) 999-6710 20 SALES EXECUTIVE Lee Purdy • [email protected] • (517) 999-5064 Dylan returns to the Wharton Center Contributors: Andy Balaskovitz, Justin Bilicki, Capital News Service, Bill Castanier, Ryan Claytor, Mary C. Cusack, Tom Helma, Gabrielle Lawrence Johnson, Terry Link, Kyle Melinn, Mark Nixon, Dennis Preston, Carrie Sampson, Nevin Speerbrecker, Rich Tupica, Ute Von Der Cover Heyden, David Winkelstern, Paul Wozniak Distribution manager: Art Garrett Clinard • (517) 999-6704 Delivery drivers: Garrett Clinard, Dave Fisher, Dale By Molly Eddington Gartner, Jack Sova, Gavin Smith Interns: Matthew Stine • [email protected] NOW AT 10:00 A.M. SUNDAYS on FOR DESIGN City Pulse • October 30, 2019 www.lansingcitypulse.com 5 PULSE NEWS & OPINION FOR For East Lansing: Meadows, Altmann and Gregg DESIGN ast Lansing still has its from his mistakes from his years spective on Council and help the host of dysfunctions, but in public office, and now seems city avoid losing any more beloved E the beloved college town to contain the vision to take East businesses like Mackerel Sky. She’s is in much better shape than it Lansing into the roaring ’20s. also an artist who will look to keep was four years ago, when Mark Working closely with Meadows the arts community a vibrant part Meadows returned has been Councilman Erik of East Lansing’s future. Draheim EDITORIAL to City Hall, joined Altmann, who also should get a provided a necessary check on by Erik Altmann second term. We haven’t always Altmann and Meadows, and we’re a n d S h a n n a agreed with hopeful Gregg will provide the Draheim. On the second try, East Altmann on same, with a platform that encour- Lansing voters passed an income some policies, ages more transparency. tax to stabilize the city’s finances such as his Lisa Babcock has been a wel- while cutting the high property tax opposition to come voice in the debate over millage that burdened homeown- a local ordi- East Lansing’s future, and for This week’s Eye for Design can ers, especially seniors on a fixed nance ban- voters who wish to really shake be found by trick-or-treaters in budget. The new tax structure ning harm- up city leadership, they probably East Lansing, although we can- has already paid dividends — the ful LGBTQ wouldn’t go wrong with her. She not guarantee that the inhabitants Hannah Community Center was c o n v e r s i o n has worked to draw attention to are participating in this hallowed saved, new police and firefighters therapy for Altmann the questionable sale on Ebay of tradition. They are, however, the were hired and more money was the town’s land that once belonged to pub- descendants of “ghouls” who began freed up for parks and badly dete- youth, but lic works as well as the seedy use to appear in the area nearly 100 riorating streets. his heart is in the right place and of federal Housing and Urban years ago. New developments have been a we respect his ability to maintain Development money for landscap- If you know where to find this pain for many residents and local an independent perspective. It ing at the City Attorney’s Office week’s eye for design, send an businesses, and change is hard. would be better to police this pol- — a misuse of funds the city was email to me at carriesampson@ But if new development is going icy from the state level, but with a forced to pay back. micourthistory.org with your guess to happen, it’s more sustainable Republican Legislature failing to Voters also wouldn’t go wrong by Wednesday (Nov. 6). The first to build up than sprawl out- protect queer youth, the city was with John Revitte, a retired labor one to correctly identify the loca- ward. The new high-rises will put right to act. Altmann has exciting relations professor, who spent his tion of this detail wins an Eye for more people into downtown East ideas to make East Lansing earn career trying to get adversaries to Design mug, which may or may not Lansing, hopefully allowing for a its Spartan green colors, includ- find common ground. He’s a lit- contain witch’s brew (that’s up to more diverse range of businesses ing new mandates for electric car tle obsessed with the city’s urban you). than T-shirt shops and lowbrow charging stations and a protected white-tailed deer devouring his — CARRIE SAMPSON restaurants not that we want East bicycle lane on Burcham Drive. flower garden, but his more seri- (City Pulse welcomes Carrie Sampson, Lansing’s college dives to go any- For the last spot, we like Jessy ous position that East Lansing executive director of the Michigan where. Gregg to replace Councilwoman should be less provincial and look Supreme Court Historical Society, as edi- tor of Eye Candy and Eye for Design.