FINDING A CLUE - City Pulse
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FRE
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A newspaper for the rest of us www.lansingcitypulse.com April 22-28, 2015
a newspaper for the rest of us www.lansingcitypulse.com
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FINDING A CLUE
FINAL FIVE ROUND OF TOP OF THE TOWN CONTEST BEGINS NOW • PAGE 13
Time for Eight is great
Fresh Thyme JOSHUA DAVIS
GROCERY SET TO ADVANCES TO TOP 8
OPEN – HIRTEN • P. 6 ON 'THE VOICE' • P. 9
2 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • April 22, 2015
City Pulse • April 22, 2015 www.lansingcitypulse.com 3
Newsmakers THIS WEEK:
PROPOSAL 1
HOSTED BY BERL SCHWARTZ
SCOTT HAGERSTROM GRETCHEN WHITMER KYLE MELINN MICKEY HIRTEN
COALITION AGAINST HIGHER TAXES & SPECIAL INTEREST DEALS FORMER STATE SENATOR • D-LANSING MIRS NEWS SERVICE CITY PULSE
MY18TV! 10 A.M. EVERY SATURDAY • COMCAST CHANNEL 16 LANSING 7:30 P.M. EVERY FRIDAY
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at Midtown Brewing Co.
COMPLIMENTARY BUFFET TABLE! • FANTASTIC DRINK SPECIALTIES — MINT JULEPS
AND MORE! • WATCH THE 141st RUNNING OF THE KENTUCKY DERBY
ON A BIG SCREEN! • WIN PRIZES IN OUR KENTUCKY DERBY CONTEST!
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5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 2 • Midtown Brewing Co. • 402 S. Washington Square, Lansing
4 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • April 22, 2015
Feedback
A born-today letter writer on Prop. 1 privilege legislation for you. Like Pence did,
VOL. 14
ISSUE 36
If I hadn't met you I could believe you were and who still gets vilified. (517) 371-5600 • Fax: (517) 999-6061 • 1905 E. Michigan Ave. • Lansing, MI 48912 • www.lansingcitypulse.com
born yesterday. Every positive you posited for Stupid, to pander to people who hate you
ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: (517) 999-6705
a yes vote will be subverted by legislative con-
nivance. The one thing that won't go away is
no matter what you do to assuage them; people
who demand rights for themselves but seek to
PAGE CLASSIFIED AD INQUIRIES: (517) 999-6704
the additional one cent of sales tax. That will
be sucking away at us till we fry the planet.
deny rights for believers.
Stupid, to attempt cordial accord with peo-
7 or email citypulse@lansingcitypulse.com
EDITOR AND PUBLISHER • Berl Schwartz
Do you think that one cent won't be siphoned ple who are no more reasonable than Nazis. publisher@lansingcitypulse.com • (517) 999-5061
off for other purposes? Open up your Devil's Who are the right people? Or do you ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER • Mickey Hirten
Council surprise: Vince Delgado pulls out of race mickey@lansingcitypulse.com • (517) 999-5064
Dictionary and let fierce Bierce bring you back mean people on the right?
to your senses.
— Michael Marhanka
I disambiguated in my last.
Re-read the opening carefully; with inci-
PAGE ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR • Ty Forquer
ty@lansingcitypulse.com • (517) 999-5068
East Lansing siveness.
I shan't stoop to explanation.
10 PRODUCTION MANAGER • Angus McNair
adcopy@lansingcitypulse.com • (517) 999-5066
CALENDAR EDITOR • Jonathan Griffith
Snyder doesn’t need City Pulse jonathan@lansingcitypulse.com • (517) 999-5069
Send the Legislature a message James Gardin brings positive vibes to Mac's Bar STAFF WRITERS • Lawrence Cosentino
lawrence@lansingcitypulse.com • (517) 999-5063
You write in your editorial on Prop 1:
"The governor needs the support of The first three paragraphs of Mickey Hirten's Todd Heywood
Michigan's progressives, including City Pulse's April 15 City Pulse article about Proposition 1 PAGE todd@lansingcitypulse.com • (517) 899-6182
readers, if Proposal 1 is to succeed on May 5".
No. He doesn't.
articulates my thoughts perfectly about why
Proposition 1 should be defeated. Further, the 11 ADVERTISING • Shelly Olson & Suzi Smith
shelly@lansingcitypulse.com • (517) 999-6705
suzi@lansingcitypulse.com • (517) 999-6704
Snyder's successes have been his own. And fear tactic many express about there being no
Contributors: Andy Balaskovitz, Justin Bilicki,
none of them have had anything to do with Plan B if Proposition fails emphasizes the leg- Community members raise concerns about (SCENE)April
A newspaper for the rest of us
www.lansingcitypulse.com Metrospace
22-28, 2015 Daniel E. Bollman, Capital News Service, Bill
'Michigan's progressives', least of all you, Mr. islature's dysfunctional behavior. Voting "NO" Castanier, Mary C. Cusack, Michael Gerstein, Tom
COVER
4891
Helma, Gabrielle Johnson, Terry Link, Andy
48
48912
Schwartz. Your rag is not influential in the of Proposition 1 will help our representatives
48912
912912
48
48
2912
McGlashen, Kyle Melinn, Mark Nixon, Shawn
least, being as it is an unrepentfully liberally realize we expect them to meet their legislative Parker, Stefanie Pohl, Dennis Preston,
biased rag.
It is an organ of progressive masturbatory
responsibility each day.
— Claude R. Beavers
ART Allan I. Ross, Belinda Thurston, Rich Tupica, Ute
Von Der Heyden, Paul Wozniak
fantasization, little more. Lansing Delivery drivers: Elijah Burton, Dave Fisher, Tyler Ray,
STATE OF MICHIGAN Thomas Scott, Robert Wiche
You whine about rebuff by Snyder's people
FINDING A CLUE
PROBATE COURT
Have something to say INGHAM COUNTY “RORSCHACH TEST” by ANGUS M C NAIR
in that editorial, then go on to spew the very CIRCUIT COURT
Interns: Ariel Rogers
same unfair, and quite frankly, stupid invective about a local issue FAMILY DIVISION FINAL FIVE ROUND OF TOP OF THE TOWN CONTEST BEGINS NOW • PAGE 13
NOTICE OF HEARING
against Snyder that led to your pariah status. or an item that appeared FILES # 15-547-GA,
15-548-CA CITY
Fresh PULSE
Time for
Thyme THIS WEEK Eight is great 7 p.m. Wednesdays
Editor & Publisher
Berl
'Doubling down dumb' as they say in gam-
JOSHUA DAVIS
in our pages? GROCERY SET TO
on the
OPEN – HIRTEN • P. 6
ADVANCES TO TOP 8
ON 'THE VOICE' • P. 9
on Schwartz
AIR
bling. In the matter of Mary St. John
Author Alice Dreger
Your readership is not that large; and many, Now you have two ways to
sound off:
To: her siblings Richard St. John,
Margaret Larner, Betty Rector, Artist Jessica Freylinghuysen
like myself, peruse its pages as an indicator of Kenneth St. John, and Lewis St.
the plummeting barometric pressure of the
John. State Rep. Gretchen Driskell/D-Saline
1.) Write a letter to the editor. TAKE NOTICE: A hearing will be
held on 5/14/2015 at 10:00 AM at 89 FM
progressive mind. • E-mail: letters@ 313 W. Kalamazoo St., Lansing,
lansingcitypulse.com MI 48933 before Judge Garcia
This editorial is a fine example of same. • Snail mail: City Pulse, 2001 for the following purposes:
You are a relic, Berle; an anachronism. And E. Michigan Ave., Lansing,
Hearing to appoint a guardian
MI 48912
your paper is too. • Fax: (517) 371-5800
and a conservator
— Gregory A. Grahame If you require special
2.) Write a guest column: Accommodations to use the
Thanks for your letter. May I have a city Contact Berl Schwartz for Court because of a disability, or
if you require a foreign language
of residence to include with it, should we more information: interpreter to help you fully par-
publisher@lansingcitypulse.com ticipate in court proceedings,
run it? or (517) 371-5600 ext. 10 please contact the court immedi-
ately to make arrangements.
Lansing, MI. By all means run it. (Please include your name,
DATE: 4/14/2015
Rather egalitarian of you- for a progressive address and telephone number Gene Mellen
so we can reach you. Keep
Thank you. So, are you supporting pro- letters to 250 words or fewer.
5303 S. Cedar St.
Lansing, MI 48911
posal 1? City Pulse reserves the right to (517) 887-9575
edit letters and columns.) CP-13800 - 4/22/15
Yes. It pisses off all the right people.
By the way, that's not 'the right' as you
asserted in your editorial- it's the usual crew of Correction
Snyder-haters toting that water. Union hacks, Due to a reporting error, last week’s
yaller dog Dems, the usual assortment. Oh yes review of Capital City Film Festival’s
and homosexuals like yourself who don't sup- Symphonic Cinema concert, “Rocked by
port- nay, not only not support, but condemn- the living and the dead,” misstated the
him even though he on his own behest wanted event’s attendance numbers. The actual
to tandem our local RFRA variant to special number of attendees was over 800.
PUBLIC NOTICES
B/15/082 SIDEWALK TRIP HAZARD REMEDIATION – RAISED EDGE CONCRETE GRINDING as
per the specifications provided by the City of Lansing. The City of Lansing will accept sealed bids at
the LANSING BOARD OF WATER AND LIGHT/ CITY OF LANSING, PURCHASING OFFICE, 1232
HACO DR. PENNSYLVANIA, LANSING, MICHIGAN 48912 until 3:00 PM local time in effect on
APRIL 28, 2015 at which time the bids will be opened and read aloud. Complete specifications
and forms required to submit bids are available by calling Stephanie Robinson, CPPB at (517)
702-6197, or email: slr@lbwl.com, or for content and purpose of this bid contact Zubair Ahmad
at (517) 483-4462, go to www.mitn.info . The City of Lansing encourages bids from all vendors
including MBE/WBE vendors and Lansing-based businesses.
CP#15_092
City Pulse • April 22, 2015 www.lansingcitypulse.com 5
PULSE NEWS & O P I N I O N
East Lansing
only a simple majority, that’s 50 percent plus one,” said Triplett.
“But to even consider selling city owned property — other than
parks — requires a supermajority approval of the public.”
Selling city park property also only requires a simple major-
ballot battle
ity vote, Triplett noted.
“What this comes down to is should we allow a minority,
a vocal minority, to overrule the majority will?” said Triplett. OF THE WEEK
“Essentially should we give them a heckler’s veto?”
Community activists Donald Powers and James Anderson,
Righting historical anachronism or land grab? of the group Neighborhood’s First, argue this is not about heck-
lers’ vetoes, it’s about checks and balances.
Underneath the Marriott Hotel in downtown East Lansing “There is nothing wrong with a supermajority,” said Powers.
is a 30-year-old parking ramp. Most assume it belongs to the “It helps keep a rogue city council and city administration from
Marriott, but that assumption is wrong. The city owns the prop- selling off city-owned properties.”
erty, and under agreements it is required to maintain the facility “A supermajority of the tax revenues come from the home-
in working condition. owners,” says Anderson. “Why shouldn’t there be a supermajor-
To shed this responsibility, the City Council in 2008 asked ity to sell city properties? That’s where I am.”
voters for permission to sell the property to the Marriott. Anderson says the ballot measure to lower the approval
Despite 57 percent of voters saying yes to the proposal, the mea- threshold will lead to the city amassing more debt through
sure failed because it didn’t reach 60 percent, as required by the development agreements.
Powers said the park-
City Property Sale Vote History (since 2000) Votes ing lot ballot was reject-
Needed ed because voters “didn’t
Property Vote Date Yes No Outcome to Pass trust the city and the
administration because
Former DPW site (Merritt Rd.) 8/6/2002 65.0% 35.0% Yes NA
of the City Center II.”
DPW site outlot (State Rd.) 11/8/2005 70.7% 29.3% Yes NA That development proj-
Parking Lot 7 8/8/2006 69.1% 30.9% Yes NA ect fell apart after nearly
University Place (land) 11/7/2006 58.7% 41.3% No 151 a decade because devel-
University Place (ramp) 11/4/2008 57.0% 43.0% No 558 opers were unable to
University Place (land) 11/4/2008 59.7% 40.3% No 47 garner the necessary
Park District 11/4/2014 56.6% 43.4% No 294 funds.
“We don’t want to
Required: 60% make it easy for them
to sell off city assets,”
City Charter. Powers said. “We did not purchase them to sell. We bought
To pay for $2.5 million in needed repairs, money is being them for the public good.”
diverted from the general fund, where it could be used to DTN Management Co. of Lansing Township had a proposal
finance more police, road repairs and other funding priorities, moving through the planning process to develop the intersec-
said East Lansing Mayor Nathan Triplett. tion of Grand River Avenue and Abbot Road in an area being Property: 1022 E. Kalamazoo St. Lansing
“That’s a demonstratively negative effect on the city,” East called the Park District, which also includes the parking lots.
Owner: David and Wendy Moncada, unavailable
Lansing Mayor Nathan Triplett said. “That took money from East Lansing developer Scott Chappelle’s plan — City Center II
for comment
the city treasury, the city and the taxpayers.” — to develop the property collapsed in 2013 over financial con-
On May 5, Triplett and East Lansing officials want voters cerns. DTN withdrew the plan after voters rejected the parking Although it is red tagged and boarded up, this
to approve a charter amendment that would eliminate the lot sales. simple house appears to be in reasonable shape. A
supermajority vote requirement to sell non-park city-owned Triplett noted last autumn in the lead-up to the vote to sell few minor changes, as shown in the above sketch,
properties, if the value exceeds $4 per resident, which is about the three parking lots that the failure of City Center II proved would significantly improve its curb appeal.
$194,000. Instead, a simple majority of support would suffice the city’s process worked. Replace the untended, ill-sited shrub in front of
for a sale. “When you look at City Center II, the project would have the porch with low plantings that do not obscure
City officials argue the move will provide the Council with added significant vitality to East Lansing’s downtown, but the home. The middle column — which is not cen-
the authority to advance city developments. Opponents say the the finances were not there, and so the Council unanimously tered – should be moved, and then balanced with
move silences dissent. approved a motion that I myself, in fact, made to determine an additional column to frame the entry steps.
If voters approve the change, it will clear the path for the city the project was not viable and pulled the plug,” Triplett said in Automobile access along this stretch of
to move forward in the Park District development proposal for an interview on City Pulse Radio. “There is an attempt to make Kalamazoo is found along a convenient alley locat-
the corner of Abbott and Grand River — which was rejected City Center II into a boogeyman, and, trust me, no one would ed near the garage at the rear of the lot. Absent
last fall despite being backed by City Council, developers, area have liked more than me to move forward with the revitaliza- the need to accommodate deep driveways on each
leaders and ultimately nearly 57 percent of voters. tion of this part of downtown sooner.” lot, the houses have been sited closer together,
The defeat of the Marriott sale in 2008 and last year’s defeat But for Powers and Anderson, the sale of city property comes making the street more pleasant for pedestrians.
of the sale of three parking lots in the Park District, resulted down to enriching developers on the backs of residents.
from an historical anachronism, Triplett said. “We bought the land in a high-value market, now we want to — Daniel E. Bollman, AIA
In 1944, the City of East Lansing formally adopted its char- sell it and give that money back to the developers,” said Powers.
ter, bringing it into compliance with a state law that required a Referring to possible tax incentives for developing the proper-
supermajority to sell property (which it was required to follow ties., he said, “It’s not using good common sense." “Eyesore of the Week” is our look at some of the seedier
properties in Lansing. It rotates each week with Eye Candy of
anyway). In 1948, the state repealed this requirement. The city — Todd Heywood the Week. If you have a suggestion, please e-mail eye@lan-
did not move to amend the charter. singcitypulse.com or call Belinda Thurston at 999-5065.
“The irony in the charter is that to amend the charter requires
6 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • April 22, 2015
It's about Thyme Rite, promotes its stores as a “vibrant and
fun shopping experience.” Based on a tour
of the new store last Friday, it's not just
first in Michigan and the 12th Fresh
Thyme overall; others are planned for
Kalamazoo, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids and
This may be changing, at least slightly.
A report by Bloomberg Business in
January detailed Whole Foods' response
New grocery store highlights advertising hype. The interior is bright Detroit. Nationally, it plans to have 60 to sub-par earnings in 2014. It is being
and colorful, without the institutional, stores by 2019. squeezed between large grocery compa-
changing shopping desires numbered aisles feel of Meijer or Kroger. Much of the company's growth is nies selling free range meats, gluten free
Long gone are the days when a gro- The displays are inviting. The product mix planned in the Midwest, where it will baked goods, soy products and the like
cery store was a simply a grocery store. is intriguing, though compete against Meijer, which according and by smaller concerns like Fresh Thyme.
At Meijer, for example, food is just part not always familiar. to news reports is a significant investor in To compete, it is now promoting sales and
of the shopping experience. The same The departments Fresh Thyme and has representatives on advertising, Bloomberg reported, but these
with Target and Walmart, which have are traditional food the board. accommodations don't come naturally for
embraced the food and everything else store fare: fruits and Obviously, neither company seems a company built on high-margin sales.
mission. vegetables, meats and concerned about competition. “We're Fresh Thyme, with its smaller stores
But this bigger is better approach seafood, bakery, deli, a produce-based business, organic and and nimble pricing, knows its niche.
may have run its course. Certainly in and beer and wine. fresh,” Bernier said, adding that it's what The 30,000-square-foot East Lansing
the Lansing area it faces serious chal- There are large bulk sets Fresh Thyme apart from its competi- store will carry about 30,000 items. A
lenges. Fresh Thyme Farmers Market, food aisles — nuts, tors. Of the Trowbridge Plaza store, he larger traditional grocery store could have
which opens Wednesday in East Lansing's grains, dried fruits MICKEY HIRTEN said, “You'll see lot of local produce. We've 200,000 items or more, Bernier said.
Trowbridge Plaza, is betting that its tar- — a selection much got relationships with local growers so Most Fresh Thyme stores are standardized
geted approach to food is where the gro- like Foods for Living offers. And there is that we can emphasize seasonal Michigan and built to the company's specifications.
cery business is heading. It's similar to the a sprawling “vitamin and body” depart- products.” The produce department alone But the East Lansing is different, because
strategy employed by Whole Foods, which ment with 8,500 items, according to Fresh accounts for 30 percent of a Fresh Thyme it was fitted into the Goodrich’s shell.
will open in Meridian Township later this Thyme's vice president of operations, Dave store's sales, and the inventory, which is It's about the only similarity between
year. Foods for Living, also in Meridian Bernier. hand-stacked, turns over three to four the two. Fresh Thyme offers a very differ-
Township, is well positioned in this mar- He was in East Lansing last week as times a week, Bernier said. ent shopping experience from Goodrich’s,
ket segment. And then there is Horrocks crews were filling shelves and the new The emphasis on local vendors is appar- which after 75 years in the grocery busi-
Market. staff of about 100 was in training. The ent as the shelves are being filled. End caps ness declined to remain in the remodeled
Fresh Thyme, which is in the building Trowbridge Plaza store is one of 17 that feature Michigan products. So does the Trowbridge Plaza. Its longevity created a
formerly occupied by Goodrich’s Shop- the company will open this year. It's the beer and wine department. Bernier said loyal customer base, but, to put it chari-
the company has negotiated local agree- tably, the store was dated and the prices
PUBLIC NOTICES ments for its baked goods and commissary were surprisingly high.
foods. It has a local sushi chef. The store, which was operating with
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
EAST LANSING HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION Fresh Thyme has a few months to a 20-year-old lease, was paying about $3
establish itself before Whole Foods opens per square foot, said Kevin McGraw, who
Notice is hereby given of the following public hearings to be held by the East Lansing Historic District later this year. And it has a strategy that it has invested about $17 million to rede-
Commission on Thursday, May 14, 2015 at 7:00 p.m., in the 54-B District Court, Courtroom 2, 101
Linden Street, East Lansing. finds to be successful, said Bernier: prices. velop the plaza. Essentially, Goodrich’s was
For example, this week's promotions looking for a subsidy and balked at paying
1. A public hearing will be held for the purpose of considering a request from features organic Red Delicious apples at the region's competitive lease rate, which
Gateway of East Lansing, LLC for approval for the property at 300 West Grand River
Avenue to construct a four-story, mixed-use building with approximately 6,434 square $1 a pound. By comparison, Meijer is pro- the Lansing real estate company CBRE |
feet of non-residential space including a bank with a drive-through. Also included in moting its apple lines at $1.28 a pound. Martin reports at between $8 and $25 a
the proposal are 39 two-bedroom apartments and structured parking to accommodate In its Midwest markets, Fresh Thyme is square foot.
the entire proposal. The property is zoned B-2, Retail Sales Business District.
selling organic pears at 88 cents a pound. There was some grumbling from
2. A public hearing will be held for the purpose of considering a request from Masonic It has 41-50 count shrimp at $4.99 at Goodrich's’ loyal customers, and maybe
Investment Group, LLC, for approval for the property at 314 MAC Avenue to install pound. Granted, these are the specials. some will take their business elsewhere.
a hand rail to the front exterior steps
Like most grocers, it features loss leaders But it won't make any difference. Fresh
3. A public hearing will be held for the purpose of considering a request from Catherine to lure customers, but the pricing strategy Thyme in its East Lansing location is cer-
Foley, for approval for the property at 638 Sunset Lane to modify windows on the first does seem to set the company apart from tain to find a ready market for its products
floor.
Whole Foods, whose prices shoppers have and approach. It's the store of the future,
4. A public hearing will be held for the purpose of considering a request from Kelsey complained are inordinately high. not the past.
and Daniel Laird, for approval for the property at 323 Marshall Street to replace broken
concrete porch on the front of the house.
PUBLIC NOTICES
Call (517) 319-6930, the Department of Planning and Community Development, East Lansing City
Hall, 410 Abbott Road, East Lansing, for additional information. All interested persons will be given CITY OF LANSING
an opportunity to be heard. The Historic District Commission will most likely act on the applications NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGS
that night but may table action to a future meeting if needed.
City of Lansing Capital Improvements Program 2016-2021
The City of East Lansing will provide reasonable auxiliary aids and services, such as interpreters
for the hearing impaired and audio tapes of printed materials being considered at the meeting, to Z-3-2015, Northwest Corner, S. Cedar Street & E. Syringa Drive
individuals with disabilities upon request received by the City seven (7) calendar days prior to the Rezoning from “D-1” Professional Office District to “E-2” Local Shopping District
meeting. Individuals with disabilities requiring aids or services should write or call the City Manager’s
Office, 410 Abbott Road, East Lansing, MI 48823. Phone: (517) 319-6920. TDD Number: (517) 337- The Lansing Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, May 12, 2015, at 6:30 p.m.,
0767. Neighborhood Empowerment Center Conference Room, 600 W. Maple Street (Corner of W. Maple
and N. Pine Streets) to consider the City of Lansing’s Capital Improvement Program for the years
Marie Wicks 2016-2021. In addition, the Board will hold a hearing to consider Z-3-2015. This is a request by
City Clerk Richard R. Rashid to rezone the property located at the northwest corner of S. Cedar Street and E.
Syringa Drive, more specifically described as:
CP#15_094
COM ON W LINE S CEDAR ST 984.5 FT N OF S LINE SEC 33, TH W 313 FT, N
B/15/073 SIDEWALK TRIP HAZARD REMEDIATION – RAISED EDGE CONCRETE CUTTING as 161.37 FT, E 313 FT, S TO BEG, EXC W 130 FT; SEC 33 T4N R2W
per the specifications provided by the City of Lansing. The City of Lansing will accept sealed bids at
the LANSING BOARD OF WATER AND LIGHT/ CITY OF LANSING, PURCHASING OFFICE, 1232 from “D-1” Professional Office District to “E-2” Local Shopping District.
HACO DR. PENNSYLVANIA, LANSING, MICHIGAN 48912 until 3:00 PM local time in effect on
APRIL 28, 2015 at which time the bids will be opened and read aloud. Complete specifications If you are interested in these matters, please attend the public hearings or send a representative.
and forms required to submit bids are available by calling Stephanie Robinson, CPPB at (517) Written comments will be accepted between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on City business days if received
702-6197, or email: slr@lbwl.com, or for content and purpose of this bid contact Zubair Ahmad before 5 p.m., Tuesday, May 12, 2015 at the City of Lansing Planning Office, Department of Planning
at (517) 483-4462, go to www.mitn.info . The City of Lansing encourages bids from all vendors and Neighborhood Development, Suite D-1, 316 N. Capitol Ave., Lansing, MI 48933-1236. For more
including MBE/WBE vendors and Lansing-based businesses. information concerning these matters, call Susan Stachowiak at 517-483-4085.
CP#15_091 CP#15_093
City Pulse • April 22, 2015 www.lansingcitypulse.com 7
11 Council incumbent in the race, which features six
candidates for two
seats. They will vie for
up old General Motors properties for rede-
velopment.
“I have spent my career working with
Also running are Harold Leeman Jr., 57,
a former Lansing City Council member;
Rob Hecksel, 48, a retired Lansing fire-
candidates
votes in the Aug. 4 pri- state and local governments to craft poli- fighter; and Mary Ann Prince, a 70 year-
mary. The top four will cies that help strengthen our communities old retired state worker.
compete in November, and our people,” said Dievendorf, 36. “I am In the Third Ward, A’Lynne Boles will
with the top two tak- now ready to take the next step in that fight defend her seat against Ryan Earl and
Delgado drops out of at-large race ing the two at-large and work to make the Lansing communi- Adam Hussain. The top two vote-getters
In a surprising turn of events, At-Large seats up for grab. ty that I’m proud to call my home a safer, in the August primary will proceed to the
Lansing City Councilman Vincent Delgado Delgado singled stronger and more vibrant place to live.” November election. Hussain is the son
decided against seeking election to the seat out for praise two Spitzer, 50, a lifelong resident of of First Ward City Councilwoman Jody
he was appointed to earlier this year. other candidates for Lansing, graduated from Central Michigan Washington. Neither Hussain nor Earl
He is not running primarily to spend the at-large spot: Delgado University and has a law degree from could be reached before deadline.
more time raising his children to be “good Emily Dievendorf. who Michigan State University. In the First Ward, Washington will
citizens,” he said Tuesday after the 4 p.m. recently left the GLBT advocacy group “I believe in Lansing. I’d like to believe I face off with Shelley Davis Mielock in the
filing deadline. Equality Michigan as executive director, bring a new face and a new perspective to November election.
Carol Wood, 64, will seek her fifth term and Patricia Spitzley, a redevelopment City Council,” she said in a phone interview. — Todd Heywood
as an at-large member. She is the only manager for Racer Trust, which is cleaning
Murky waters Arizona or California is unfair to the point of
being disingenuous, because there is noth-
ing similar about our hydrology,” Wurfel
State officials unconcerned said by email. “The idea that states with
dangerously limited supplies of fresh water
about failing water-policy grade are doing more than Michigan in the area
In a state surrounded by 20 percent of of water conservation does not surprise me.
the world’s fresh water, overuse and sustain- “In Michigan, this conversation isn’t
ability might not be the first thing on the about low-flow toilets and ultra-green show-
minds of Michiganders. erheads. It’s about agriculture and industry,
And according to a study that graded land use and wetlands protection and aging
states on their water policies and conserva- sewer infrastructure at the community level.”
tion, these concerns may not be very com- Wurfel said Gov. Rick Snyder’s adminis-
mon in state government, either. tration is pursuing conservation initiatives
The Alliance for Water Efficiency’s most through a statewide water use advisory
recent scorecard gave Michigan a mere council and a 30-year water strategy. While
three points out of the possible 40 for Snyder has signed into law multiple bills
water efficiency and policy. Compare that dealing with issues such as sewer infrastruc-
to places such as fellow Great Lakes state ture and pollution, issues such as conserva-
Saturday May 2nd 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. & Sunday May 3rd 1-5 p.m.
Wisconsin with 15.5, Rhode Island’s 20, or tion and limiting overuse have been largely
California’s 29. left out of the conversation in recent years.
With a D grade and the lowest score Michigan’s water use has decreased over
among Great Lakes states, Michigan failed time, but the state still uses more surface
in categories such as state policies regard- and groundwater from the Great Lakes
ing toilet and shower head efficiency, water- basin than any other state — about 10.4 bil-
efficient building or plumbing codes, or even lion gallons daily in 2011, according to data
guidelines for conservation among water by the Great Lakes Commission.
utility companies — and was given a passing Fossil fuel energy production, such as the
grade in only one category. In fact, Michigan cooling processes used in power plants, are
has no guidelines that exceed federal stan- the largest users of this water, according to
dards when it comes to appliances, plumb- 2013 data from the Great Lakes Regional
ing or water utility efficiency. Water Use Database — almost six times
Michigan is joined by fellow Great Lakes more than the amounts withdrawn for pub-
states Ohio, Pennsylvania and Illinois, which lic water supplies.
also received scores below five, despite mem- Michigan put a law into place in 2008
bership the Great Lakes Compact, a collabo- to limit large water withdrawals, specifi-
ration among Michigan and other Great cally for irrigation and fossil fuel energy — Bobby Kilty Mark Chatterly
Lakes states to protect and sustain the Great which, according to Department of Natural
Lakes water basin. Resources Director Keith Creagh, are some
While some of these Great Lakes states of the biggest uses of water in the state.
have attempted to improve water use — an
amendment will come into effect this year
While fracking is still a growing opera-
tion in Michigan, the amounts of water 15 artists participating at 7 locations
in Illinois requiring users of high-capacity involved in the process have raised attention
wells, particularly farmers, to report usage and criticism. According to Jon Allan, direc-
Tickets: $5 and may be purchased at
data — Michigan legislation directly apply- tor of the DEQ’s Office of the Great Lakes, individual studios and Williamstown Township
ing to water use and conservation has been however, what the withdrawn water is used Hall 4990 ZImmer Rd. Williamston, MI
minimal since the state received its failing for is not the issue.
grade in 2012. “Whether you’re using it for fracking, or
(517) 655-3193
Department of Environmental Quality for industry, or for human use — you know, a www.williamstowntownship.com
for tour map & artists info.
LJ-0100306474
Communications Director Brad Wurfel city takes out a lot of water,” Allan said. “The
challenged both the report and the notion stream doesn’t know what the water’s being
that Michigan has done little in the years used for.” Proceeds from ticket sales benefit children’s playground
since it was released. equipment for Williamstown Township.
“To compare our water use to, say, See Water, Page 8 Sponsors: Burgdorf’s Winery and Riverhouse Inn
8 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • April 22, 2015
Water state, according to Allan.
“We have seen an increased number
of aquifers in some places that are getting
PUBLIC NOTICES
CITY OF EAST LANSING
ELECTION NOTICE
from page 7 stressed,” Allan said. SPECIAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015
FOR
— Brooke Kansier/Capital News THE ELECTORS OF THE CITY OF EAST LANSING
Regardless of how Michigan’s water is Service INGHAM AND CLINTON COUNTIES, MICHIGAN
used, it has begun to have an impact on
To the electors of the City of East Lansing, please take notice that an election will be held in the City
some groundwater reserves throughout the of East Lansing, Ingham and Clinton Counties, Michigan, on TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015.
PUBLIC NOTICES To vote on the following proposals:
Ingham County is accepting proposals from experienced and qualified general contractors for
Improvements to the Moose Exhibit Project at Potter Park Zoo. Info: http://pu.ingham.org, under STATE - PROPOSAL 15-1
Current Bids link, Pkt 44-15. A proposal to amend the State Constitution to increase the sales/use tax form 6% to 7% to replace
CP#15_096 and supplement reduced revenue to the School Aid Fund and local units of government caused by
the elimination of the sales/use tax on gasoline and diesel fuel for vehicles operating on public roads,
NOTICE OF ELECTION and to give effect to laws that provide additional money for roads and other transportation purposes
STATE SPECIAL ELECTION by increasing the gas tax and vehicle registration fees.
TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2015
CITY - PROPOSAL 1
To the qualified electors of the City of Lansing, Counties of Ingham and Eaton, State of Michigan EXPLANATION CAPTION:
The proposed charter amendment below, which was initiated by petition, would limit the City of
Notice is hereby given that the City of Lansing will conduct the Election in the City of Lansing, East Lansing from having or enforcing certain local ordinances regulating marijuana. The charter
Counties of Ingham, Eaton, and Clinton, State of Michigan on Tuesday, May 5, 2015. Polls will be amendment, if approved, would not change current federal and/or state prohibitions regarding the
open at 7:00 a.m. and will remain open until 8:00 p.m. possession, use, transfer, or transportation of marijuana in East Lansing or on the campus of Michigan
State University that may be enforced by the East Lansing Police Department or any other law
The following will be submitted to the electors at the May 5, 2015 Special Election: enforcement agency.
PROPOSALS: BALLOT QUESTION
Shall Chapter 6 of the Charter of the City of East Lansing be amended to add a new Section
State: 6.12, entitled “Marijuana”, to state that: “Nothing in the Code of Ordinances shall apply to the use,
PROPOSAL 15-1 A proposal to amend the State Constitution to increase the sales/use tax possession or transfer of less than 1 ounce of marijuana, on private property, or transportation of less
from 6% to 7% to replace and supplement reduced revenue to the School Aid Fund and local units than 1 ounce of marijuana, by a person who has attained the age of 21 years”?
of government caused by the elimination of the sales/use tax on gasoline and diesel fuel for vehicles
operating on public roads, and to give effect to laws that provide additional money for roads and other CITY - PROPOSAL 2
transportation purposes by increasing the gas tax and vehicle registration fees. BALLOT QUESTION
Shall Section 4.8 of the East Lansing Charter be amended to change the requirement for voter
Holt Public Schools: approval to sell certain real property from a three fifths (3/5) majority vote of the electors to a simple
Operating Millage Proposal majority vote of the electors and add an annual inflation adjustment, tied to the consumer price index,
to the current four dollar ($4.00) per capita dollar limitation to sell real property?
Voting Precincts and Polling Places are:
For complete ballot wording, contact the East Lansing City Clerk at 517-319-6914 or log onto the
Ingham County Clerk’s website at www.ingham.org or Clinton County Clerk’s website at
Lansing Ward 1 Lansing Ward 2 www.clinton-county.org.
Pct. 1 – Otto Middle School Pct. 11 – South Washington Office Cplx.
Pct. 2 – Grand River Headstart Pct. 12 – Lyons Ave. Elementary School
Pct. 3 – Post Oak Elementary School Pct. 13 – Cavanaugh Elementary School Polls at said election will be open at 7:00 a.m. and will remain open until 8:00 p.m.
Pct. 4 – Fairview Elementary School Pct. 14 – Gardner Middle School
Pct. 5 – Foster Community School Pct. 15 – Mt. Hope Elementary School LIST OF POLLING LOCATIONS:
Pct. 6 – Riverfront Apts Community Rm Pct. 16 – Forest View Elementary School Pct. 1 - IM Sports West, MSU
Pct. 7 – Pilgrim Congregational Church Pct. 17 – Kendon Elementary School Pct. 2 - Martin Luther Chapel, 444 Abbot Road
Pct. 8 – Bethlehem Temple Church Pct. 18 – Gardner Middle School Pct. 3 - East Lansing Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot Road
Pct. 9 – Board of Water and Light Pct. 19 – Henry North Elementary School Pct. 4 - Capital City Vineyard Church, 1635 Coolidge Road
Pct. 10 – South Washington Office Cplx. Pct. 20 – Henry North Elementary School Pct. 5 - Shaarey Zedek Congregation, 1924 Coolidge Road
Pct. 21 – Forest View Elementary School Pct. 6 - Eastminster Presbyterian Church, 1315 Abbot Road
Lansing Ward 3 Pct. 7 - St. Paul Lutheran Church, 3383 Lake Lansing Road
Pct. 22 - Southside Community Center Lansing Ward 4 Pct. 8 - University Reformed Church, 841 Timberlane Street
Pct. 23 – Averill Elementary School Pct. 32 – Elmhurst Elementary School Pct. 9 - Bailey Community Center, 300 Bailey Street
Pct. 24 – Attwood Elementary School Pct. 33 – Lewton Elementary School Pct. 10 - Edgewood United Church, 469 N. Hagadorn Road
Pct. 25 – Attwood Elementary School Pct. 34 – South Washington Office Cplx. Pct. 11 - Burcham Hills Retirement Community, 2700 Burcham Drive
Pct. 26 – Southside Community Center Pct. 35 – Grace Lutheran Church Pct. 12 – Union Bldg., MSU
Pct. 27 – Pleasant View Magnet School Pct. 36 – Letts Community Center Pct. 13 – IM Sports East, MSU
Pct. 28 – Elmhurst Elementary School Pct. 37 – Letts Community Center Pct. 14 – IM Sports East, MSU
Pct. 29 – Wainwright Magnet School Pct. 38 – Willow Elementary School Pct. 15 – IM Sports West, MSU
Pct. 30 – Averill Elementary School Pct. 39 – Emanuel First Lutheran Church Pct. 16 - Wesley Foundation, 1118 S. Harrison Road
Pct. 31 – Lewton Elementary School Pct. 40 – Willow Elementary School Pct. 17 - Shaarey Zedek Congregation, 1924 Coolidge Road
Pct. 41 – Cumberland Elementary School
Pct. 42 – Transitions North All polling places are accessible and voting instructions are available in alternative formats of audio
Pct. 43 – St. Stephen Lutheran Church and braille.
All polling places are accessible and voting instructions are available in alternative formats of audio The East Lansing City Clerk’s office will be open on Saturday, May 2, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
and Braille. An accessible voting device is also available. to issue and accept absentee ballots for qualified electors.
PHOTO IDENTIFICATION REQUIRED TO VOTE – ALL voters are required to show photo identification
Photo Identification OR Affidavit Required to Vote: when applying for an absent voter ballot in person and to vote at the polls. Voters without identification
Under a Michigan law passed in 1996 and upheld by the Michigan Supreme Court, ALL voters will be required to fill out and sign an affidavit in order to receive a ballot.
will be asked to show photo identification to vote at the polls. Voters without identification will be
required to fill out and sign an affidavit in order to receive a ballot. To see if you are registered or to find your polling location, check the Secretary of State Voter
Information website at www.mich.gov/vote
To see if you are registered or to find your polling location, check the Secretary of State
Voter Information web site at www.michigan.gov/vote. Marie E. Wicks
City Clerk
The Lansing City Clerk’s Election Unit, 2500 S. Washington Ave, will be open on Sunday, April
26 from 12 noon to 4 p.m. and Saturday, May 2, 2015 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. to issue and accept CP#15_095
absentee ballots to qualified electors.
Ingham County solicits proposals for the purchase, installation, training, support and maintenance
Monday, May 4 at 4 p.m. is the deadline to request an absentee ballot. Ballots requested on of new digital video and audio recording equipment. Info: http://pu.ingham.org, under Current Bids
Monday, May 4 must be requested and voted in person at the Clerk’s Office at 124 W. Michigan link, Pkt 31-15
Ave, 9th Floor or 2500 S. Washington Ave. CP#15_097
Chris Swope, Certified Municipal Clerk Ingham County solicits bids for the purpose of furnishing its 2015 season’s requirements of liquid
Lansing City Clerk calcium chloride solution for dust control on gravel roads. Info: http://pu.ingham.org, under Current
Bids link, Pkt 48-15.
CP#15_090 CP#15_098
City Pulse • April 22, 2015 www.lansingcitypulse.com 9
ARTS & CULTURE ART BOOKS FILM MUSIC THEATER
Tweet salvation
tom of his vocal range, working hard to push the lyrics
through this difficult and gritty tessitura, before build-
ing to a climax that tested the upper limits of his vocal
range.
Joshua Davis survives a “That song pushed you vocally more than anything
you’ve done so far,” said Blake Shelton.
scare, advances to the top eight It’s clear that celebrity coach Adam Levine is push-
ing Davis further and further out of his comfort zone,
By TY FORQUER looking for any advantage as the competition stiffens.
Joshua Davis took a risk this week on “The Voice,” “It’s getting to the end here,” said Levine. “We need-
and it paid off Tuesday night as the singer advanced ed to take a risk here.”
into the top eight. Davis survived, but his fans had to wait for it.
Davis sang “Hold Back the River,” written by English In Tuesday night’s results show, he landed in the
singer/songwriter James Bay, on Monday’s telecast. bottom three, which made him eligible for elimina-
Last week, Davis set aside his acoustic guitar to focus tion. The singer was pitted against fellow Team Adam
on singing. This week he traded it in for an electric ver- artist Deanna Johnson and Team Christina artist Rob
sion — a Fender Telecaster. He began, however, with Taylor in a three-way sing-off. Following the sing-off,
Photo by Nicole Rico
the guitar slung behind him, standing on a raised plat- “The Voice” opened a five-minute window for fans to
form that jutted out into the audience. Lansing-area fans gathered to watch Joshua Davis on the big
The slow-burning tune started with Davis at the bot- See Davis, Page 10 screen at Celebration! Cinema Monday night.
AHistorian
horse and his man
The descendants of the two soldiers still had letters dat- Booth 12 days later,” Miller said.
ing from the Civil War. One of the letters was written by Part of Miller’s job has been to sift through Baker’s
Emory Parady to his parents in Nashville, Mich., only two accounts of the Booth manhunt, which evolved over the
explores Lansing’s connection days after Booth’s capture. Reading the letter gave Miller a years.
thrill of immediacy. Baker’s lectures included a few tales about Boston
to the capture of John Wilkes Booth “Stories like these have kept me home nights for many Corbett, the man who shot Booth, that Miller calls “ques-
By LAWRENCE COSENTINO years,” Miller said. tionable.”
Who says you can't milk a horse? Chalk up another dar- Parady (and his descendants) said he was the first soldier Conflicting factual claims are part and parcel of Lincoln
ing deed for Lansing's Luther Byron Baker, the detective lore, but Miller is troubled by a
who led the militia unit that tracked down and killed John bigger mystery surrounding the
Wilkes Booth. president's assassination.
“Luther Baker and For years after Baker “I don't think we’ve really
the Capture of John returned to Lansing, Baker come to terms with why Booth
Wilkes Booth” was a fixture at the Decoration did it,” Miller said.
Lecture by historian Steve Miller (Memorial) Day parade, mount- He called Lincoln's assassina-
4 p.m. Saturday, April 25
FREE ed on his trusty horse, Buckskin. tion “probably the greatest mis-
Dart Auditorium, Lansing When the horse died, Baker had reading of time and circumstance
Community College, 500 N.
Capitol Ave., Lansing him stuffed and trotted him out in American history.”
lansinghistory.org on wheels. At personal appear- If Booth was trying to strike a
ances, Baker sold an “imperial blow for the South, Miller said, he
sized” postcard emblazoned with a photo of horse and rider. certainly picked the wrong time.
An “autobiography” of Buckskin, written from the horse’s For one thing, the South was
point of view, was included on the back. already lost. What is more, the
Saturday at Dart Auditorium, historian Steve Miller of assassination hardened postwar
Chicago will talk about the capture of John Wilkes Booth, national policy.
concentrating on Baker and several other principals that “Lincoln would have been
lived, or ended up, in Michigan. more conciliatory to the South,”
Baker was a detective and a trusted lieutenant to his Miller said.
cousin, Union spy Lafayette Baker. As it happened, the South was
“They hunted spies, seized counterfeit money, raided blamed for Lincoln’s death and
Courtesy photo
brothels, destroyed illegal alcohol and things like that,” postwar terms were harsher than
Miller said. Lansing’s Luther Byron Baker (center) led the expedition to capture John Wilkes Booth. they would have been otherwise.
Miller has been studying Lincoln's assassination for over Historians will never stop
30 years. He has written a lot on the subject and appeared who laid his hands on Booth after he was shot, but Miller debating the details and ramifications of the Civil War, but
in the National Geographic special, “The Hunt for Lincoln’s found it to be a dubious claim. He did, however, find it inter- now and then a truce breaks out.
Assassin.” esting that Parady had a younger brother named Lincoln. At a banquet several years ago, Miller met Thomas
Although he read a lot of history as a student at the (His father was a Lincoln fan.) Mudd, the great-grandson of Dr. Samuel Mudd — the doc-
University of Oregon, Miller didn’t get hooked on history Later, Miller met Parady’s granddaughter in a house in tor who fixed Booth's broken leg and was convicted of aid-
until he started reading letters from the Civil War and meet- Portland where Parady had lived. ing and abetting the assassin. (Thomas Mudd spoke in his
ing the descendants of people who were swept up in its car- “You can't get closer to the story than that,” he said. ancestor's defense at a Lansing Historical Society talk April
nage and drama. Michigan’s connections to Lincoln’s assassination are 9.)
When he learned that two of the soldiers in the patrol richer than Oregon’s, with Luther Baker in a starring role. Miller made it clear to Mudd that he had formed no
that killed Booth ended up in Portland, Ore., he tracked “He was in constant motion from the moment they opinion on his grandfather’s guilt or innocence.
down their families. received word the president was killed until they caught “We got along great after that,” Miller said.
10 www.lansingcitypulse.com City Pulse • April 22, 2015
Davis a backup plan, just in case!”
For the sing-off, Davis stepped firm-
ly back into his comfort zone. Acoustic
Gardin of positivity the Full Respect, Gardin and the gang
provided a dynamic range of catchy,
head-bopping tunes.
from page 9 guitar in hand, Davis delivered a defi- James Gardin fills Gardin’s positive spin on hip hop
ant version of Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Mac’s Bar with positive vibes was clear on his fourth song, “Gold.” He
Down.” described it as a “song for the ladies,” but
cast votes via Twitter to determine the Davis’ fans responded, and host By SARAH SPOHN don’t think typical romance — the track
survivor. Carson Daly announced that Davis When James Gardin stepped onto the is an anthem for the proper appreciation
Davis, either by premonition or by would advance in the final minutes of stage at Mac’s Bar on Saturday, he admit- of women.
tip-off from the producers, must have Tuesday’s results show. ted he was overwhelmed by “She got a smile that can light up the
suspected he was in danger, and posted This may not be the end of Davis’ Review the crowd. whole world,” he sang. “Yeah, yeah, she’s
the following message on Facebook ear- comfort-zone-stretching experiences, Eight songs and over an got a soul of gold.”
lier in the day: however. Earlier in the evening Adam hour later, however, there was no sign Between songs, it was almost as if
“Hey #davisNation! Thanks for all of Levine announced that R&B artist Usher of nerves or tension. The crowd’s par- the frontman turned into a motivational
the wonderful support! While we hope will provide guest coaching for Team
to not need the Twitter Save tonight, Adam — now comprising just Davis —
would love it if you would help me with next week.
Flags of our fathers
the state capitol building was restored in
1990.
The collection includes nationally
Historian offers a rare celebrated battle flags, camp flags and
look at historic battle flags parade flags. Many of them survived dra-
matic and violent days, including the flag
By LAWRENCE COSENTINO of the 3rd Michigan infantry regiment,
At a recent Civil War roundtable com- Company G, which formed in Lansing.
memorating the 150th anniversary of One of Company G’s color bearers,
the end of the Civil War, Chicago histo- Charles Foster, was among the first stu-
rian Matt VanAcker dents at Michigan Agricultural College,
pulled out a battle now MSU, and the first Lansing man to
Michigan’s Civil
flag from the 24th enlist in the Union army. (Foster lived
War Battle Flags Mi c h i g a n “ Ir o n in a house at 317 Chestnut St. that still
2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 26
FREE Brigade,” which stands.)
Michigan Historical Center
717 W. Allegan St.,
suffered 80 per- He was also the first Lansing man to
Lansing cent casualties at die in the war. He volunteered to carry
lansinghistory.org Gettysburg. the colors into the battle of Fair Oaks,
“Nine men died Va., and was killed while carrying the
carrying that flag,” VanAcker said. “It has flag. Eyewitnesses saw Foster shove the
bloodstains on it.” staff in the ground as he fell, breathing
An elderly man who led tours at his last words to the nearest soldier:
Gettysburg for decades took off his hat. “Don’t let the flag go down.”
“These flags bring out incredible emo- For decades, the collection was kept Photo by Brian Wells
tion,” VanAcker said. in the Capitol rotunda, but they gradu- James Gardin brings positive lyrics and infectious beats to the Lansing hip-hop scene.
The historian will give a rare, behind- ally deteriorated from exposure to light,
the-scenes tour of the Michigan Civil air, moisture and dust. ticipation — singing along, heads sway- speaker. But the thing that sets Gardin
War Battle Flag Collection Sunday at In the 1990s, the flags were taken ing and hands waving — served as a apart is that he seems genuine. He never
the Michigan Historical Center. There off their original staves, placed in low- salute to Gardin’s inspirational brand of comes across as preachy, despite refer-
are 240 flags in the collection, including light storage units with controlled tem- hip hop. ring to himself as a “spirit-led artist.” The
160 from the Civil War and others from perature and humidity and wrapped in The 30-year-old Lansing singer, song- banter in between songs never sounded
the Spanish-American War and World a “flag sandwich” of acid-free materials. writer, rapper, and hip-hop artist has rehearsed or exaggerated.
War I. VanAcker and other historians take lived in the area for the last 18 years. “Promise me you will not give up on
VanAcker is co-chairman of the Save them out for special events like Sunday's Gardin has toured nationally and per- your dreams,” Gardin said to the audi-
Our Flags project, which started when tour. formed under a variety of stage names, ence over his danceable beats. His ability
but a few years ago he decided to return to seamlessly deliver powerful messages
to his roots — performing under his in a relevant hip-hop matter was most
actual name. impressive.
Gardin previously released and “It’s been a while since you’ve felt
performed material as P.H.I.L.T.H.Y. this good, so I think it’s only right that
(Phenomenal Hip-hop Individual Living you should share it,” rapped Gardin on
Through His Years), but the rapper’s “Shine.” “Wear it on your face so it’s way
PRESENTING subject matter is actually pretty clean. more apparent and keep on shining ‘til
Hip hop sometimes gets a bad name, but your glow start glaring.”
WHAT GOES AROUND Gardin is out to put a stop to that — and Following “City Limits” — a song
A COLLECTION OF HAND BUILT CERAMIC he’s taking the 517 by storm. about struggle with surroundings and
SCULPTURE AND 2-D WORK The first song in the set, “Wake Up,” self-doubt — the crowd begged for more,
BY WILLIAMSTON, MI ARTIST, was fitting, considering the show was chanting for an encore. If this audience’s
running behind. After openers Red Pill, reaction is any indication, Gardin will
MARK CHATTERLEY
Sareem Poems and Dez Harley, Gardin experience many more encores in his
RUNNING THROUGH MAY
didn’t even take the stage until 11:05 p.m. career.
The Mac’s Bar crowd, however, proved to Gardin’s latest album, “Living
SPRING CLEARANCE SALE CONTINUES
be still awake, alive and well, soaking up Daylights” was released March 31, and
Gardin’s upbeat and energetic beats. it’s clear that Gardin is living his dream
211 M.A.C. Avenue, East Lansing 517.351.2211 mackerelsky.com Backed by a full five-member band, on stage.City Pulse • April 22, 2015 www.lansingcitypulse.com 11
Making a (SCENE) unstaffed venue.
“There would be a re-startup time,”
McCaffrey admitted at an April 14 city
in the lease that would allow either side to
terminate the lease without cause, should
either side feel the other is not holding up
suggestion, outlined by Chairwoman Sarah
Triplett at the work session, asking the city
for a three-month moratorium to evaluate
As deal nears completion, council work session. its end of the deal. other options.
community members raise concerns While this deal has been in the works In response to the work session, the East Teager’s biggest concern is with the way
for months, this work session was the first Lansing Arts Commission met Thursday the city handled the matter. He feels the city
By TY FORQUER opportunity for community members to and agreed on a set of suggestions for the wanted to get out of its responsibilities to
An agreement between the City of East publically discuss the agreement with the proposed deal. The commission serves in the space, and budgetary issues were inflat-
Lansing and MSU’s Art, Art History and principal players. McCaffrey was on hand to an advisory role to the Council, meaning ed to sell the deal.
Design department to turn curatorial con- present the city’s side of the deal, and Chris it has no power to prevent or alter a deal. “The city is painting a different picture,”
trol of (SCENE) Metrospace over to MSU Corneal, chairman of the Art, Art History The commission plans to present these sug- Teager said. “There was never a plan for
seems all but inevitable at this point. But and Design Department, and Janet Lillie, gestions at the next work session Tuesday SCENE to be self-sufficient.”
as the deal nears completion, members of assistant vice president for community evening. He is also disappointed that the city
the East Lansing community — especially relations in MSU’s Office of Governmental While the exact language of these sug- doesn’t appear to have considered other
the East Lansing Arts Commission — have Affairs, presented the university’s stance. gestions may change, the broad strokes of options.
raised concerns about the arrangement. Corneal expressed enthusiasm for the these suggestions, as relayed by commission “Steps were not taken to save (SCENE)
For its part, the city seems to be treating deal, which represents a rare reach by the member Mike Teager, are as follows: for city use,” Teager said. “No real remedy
the gallery as if this is a done deal. City Pulse university into the north side of Grand "Since the City maintains a substan- was sought before going to MSU.”
reported in January that former (SCENE) River Avenue. tial financial responsibility for (SCENE) Teager cites the auditorium in Hannah
Metrospace curator Tim Lane was leaving “We’re very excited about the opportu- Metrospace, the Arts Commission believes Community Center as a space that city
the gallery and had accepted other posi- nity,” he said. the contract should include language that makes available to the public with a fee
tions with the city. In an April 9 memo from Corneal described the primary mission guarantees availability of that space for use structure designed to keep it sustainable.
Tim McCaffrey, director of parks and rec- of the proposed gallery space as community by city residents. In so doing, the contract While SCENE Metrospace did charge for
reation, to City Manager George Lahanas, outreach, including plans for public work- shall: ensure that (SCENE) Metrospace will venue use, Teager said, the fees were incon-
McCaffrey explained that the lighting and shops and K-12 educational programs. be open to the pubic year round, including sistent and not designed with self-sufficien-
sound equipment at (SCENE) had been on The Council sought assurances from summers; establish a community board to cy in mind.
long-term loan from “a private individual,” Corneal that the gallery would not “go work with MSU’s AAHD to add the com- “It was done in an ad hoc manner,” said
and that person chose to take the equip- dark” for extended periods, especially dur- munity input and perspective to the ongo- Teager.
ment back when he learned of the proposed ing summer months when university activi- ing development of SCENE’s program- While he is not happy with the city’s han-
deal. ties slow. ming/curatorial calendar; ensure a review dling of the issue, Teager expects the deal to
The Keys in the City project plans to use “We expect it to be a 12-month gallery,” if scene goes dark with no activity for more go through and is focused on striking the
the space to paint pianos through May, but Corneal said. He outlined a plan that would than three consecutive weeks; and ensure a best compromise possible.
beyond that no events have been scheduled include a maximum two-week shutdown regular review so that the above items are “It looks to be clear that the City Council
for the space. Were this deal to fall through, for annual cleaning and maintenance. adhered to." plans to move forward with this,” Teager
the city would be saddled with a gutted, Both sides seemed amenable to a change The commission stepped away from a said. “We’re just waiting for the ink to dry.”
Courtesy photo
MSU
theater
students
play a
hippie tribe
in "Hair,"
Ageless Aquarius scope readings and calls to burn draft cards. the classic
The plot follows the personal journeys of 1960s rock
a few tribe members, most notably Berger musical.
MSU’s production of (Joshua Whitson) — the cultish, charismat-
‘Hair’ still feels edgy, relevant ic leader of the clan — and Claude (Jacob
Covert) — a fresh faced newbie forced to
By PAUL WOZNIAK make tough decisions. For audiences look-
It’s been nearly 50 years since the dawn- ing for structure and cohesion, “Hair” is not
ing of the “age of Aquarius,” and yet the that show. Stories and songs overlap and
rock-musical “Hair” still resonates. The interweave like the writhing bodies beauti-
Vietnam War is over and LSD fully choreographed by Kellyn Uhl.
Review is illegal, but “Hair” is a vivid By far, the best aspects of this pro- tions to the terrifying realities of war rather political divide, and people today still don’t
time capsule that blends the duction are the music and dancing. The than clownish caricatures of hippies. trust the government. “Hair” may not be an
fears and passions of a generation with a musical spawned a rich array of ‘60s rock The biggest problem in the production LSD escape, but it’s a welcome — and legal
killer soundtrack. standards like “Aquarius,” “Good Morning is poor diction. This, combined with the — musical trip.
“Hair” For its part, MSU Starshine,” and, of course, “Hair,” Music Pasant Theatre’s cavernous space, means
Discomfort zone
MSU Department of
Theatre Depar tment of director Dave Wendelberger leads the tight that many of the lyrics and crucial dialogue
7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April Theatre’s produc- orchestra, who credibly add the rock to the are often lost in a sea of sound, regardless
22 & Thursday, April 23;
8 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. tion captures the “rock musical.” Though never a guarantee of body microphones. Audiences who know Ixion Theatre’s 'Gamma
Friday, April 24; 8 p.m. energy and musi- for a student musical, the entire cast has the show should have no problems, but first
Saturday, April 25; 2 p.m. cality of this turbu- strong voices that hold their own individu- time audiences may have trouble following Rays' effectively disquieting
Sunday, April 26
(Post-show discussion on lent time. ally and blend blissfully, especially on the what little story there is. By TOM HELMA
Thursday, April 23) Set in New York opening song, “Aquarius.” Perhaps the biggest surprise is how edgy We toss around the phrase “dysfunction-
$20/$18 seniors and
faculty/$15 students in 1968, “Hair” Historical context is crucial to the and relevant “Hair” still feels. The dialogue al family” casually in conversation, as if we,
Pasant Theatre, Wharton loosely follows the production and enjoyment of this play. is crude and the characters are irrever- and everyone else, know exact-
Center, 750 E. Shaw Lane,
East Lansing journey of a hippie Director Deric McNish thankfully avoids ent and disrespectful to authority — and Review ly what we mean. But unless
(517) 432-2000, tribe. There’s lots of arbitrarily “updating” the show, keeping in East Lansing that still feels dangerous. you have lived as a teenager in
whartoncenter.com singing, simulated the action in its original 1968 setting. The The full nude scene at the end of Act 1 still the home of a down-and-out, bitter single
sex, songs about sex performances are still broad and physically makes a defiant statement. For all that’s
juxtaposed with anti-war slogans, horo- flamboyant, but they feel like honest reac- changed, we’re still at war, there’s a stark See Curtain Call, Page 12You can also read
