Venge of Lansing

Remember that time you were wakened from a deep slumber with a fear in your heart so deep you could swear you were about to meet your imminent doom? I know you do, because it’s happened to all of us. Is there someone watching me? Is someone out there? Am I being followed? You might be. But it might not be in the way we tend to think. As you see, or prepare to see The Avengers (you’re not fooling me, I you know you’re going to see it), turn your thoughts to those in the world that creep about… but in pursuit of good. People like Lansing’s own superhero: Venge.

Fear is a powerful emotion with the potential to damage us physically as well as emotionally. When my husband and I had our house robbed not once, but twice this summer, I so fervently wished for a real-life superhero it hurt. I lashed out, hitting harder at roller derby practice, I hid from those I loved and I wondered why there couldn’t be someone out there watching over us like Batman protected Gotham. Where was our Batman? How could this happen?

Enter Venge. This is the only name I know. His relatively-new Facebook fan page refers to him as “what people consider a “real life super hero.” Upon messaging him an interview request, I had no idea what to expect. But, as it turns out, the life of a costumed vigilante is actually not so much different from yours and mine. He’s just a little busier, and, if I’m being honest, not nearly the whack job the teeniest corner of my brain had expected. Instead, I found myself Facebook inbox to Facebook inbox with an advocate for the homeless, a guy who’ll break up a fight if he has to, and a person’s whose passion for helping others is evident in every word he speaks. Or, in this case, types.

He came to heroism in the way you might expect. Growing up in Lansing, “I would play with my dad’s collection of superhero figures…and wondered why normal people didn’t go out and help people,” he says. So, at the age of 11 he teamed up with a group of friends and set out to do something about it. Unmasked, they simply trolled for troublemakers. “We were able to get people to call the police on people trying to steal bikes, or we would stop other kids our age from starting fights at playgrounds,” he says.

This, however, had unintended consequences. They got jumped, and the costumes were born. From that day, identity-concealing outfits were worn during missions. But, the missions continued, and the band of friends remained on the lookout for opportunities to help their friends and neighbors.

These days, Venge is basically a one-man show. His mornings are spent working; he attends LCC and maintains the social life of an average Joe. His missions are less structured, but he remains as active as possible. “It can be three nights a week I go out, and sometimes twice every other week,” he says. “Earth Day I went out with another teammate to pick up trash on the River Trail, and a bit downtown.”

He does work with others, but on what you would call a regular basis. “There’s an entire community across the U.S. and other parts of the world,” Venge says. “In January ’11, a few from Michigan and Indiana met in East Lansing for the first time and started the group the Michigan Protectors.” At an anniversary meet up this year, they reviewed their stats. In 2011 they had a membership of seven, while 2012 has seen their numbers double. While they’ve never all met in one place, there are others in Michigan who do the same.

Finding acceptance, it appears, can be difficult. Anyone who has read Batman Begins knows the internal struggle being a hero can bring. In a recent radio interview on Flint Talk Radio featuring three members of the Michigan Protectors, Venge, Bee Sting, and Seraph (location unknown), mention was made of this difficulty. “What are you, a ninja?” “What is this, Mortal Kombat?” In the interview, Bee Sting (who was recently arrested on assault charges), discusses the functional aspects of the Protectors’ attire, primarily self-defense. “I’m between 19-24 and even in broad daylight I feel like I need to keep my eyes open,” Venge says. “The neighborhood I lived in was a really great place when I was younger, now I get woken up at 2 in the morning from loud music or a loud engine.”

Venge has plans, not only for himself, but also for others. “We’re everyday people, trying to help.” This, he says, “doesn’t tie us to a specific action. We will intervene in a physical fight to help someone, but only if the police won’t be there in time. The same night we might do a homeless outreach. We only want to provide help in whichever ways we possibly, and legally, can.”

The real-life superhero movement is growing nation-wide. Venge isn’t alone in his desire to help. Even locally, the Lansing Ninjas spread kindness via postcards and the element of surprise, while ePifany Now schedules events, each with a different approach, all aimed at helping those who need it. While the Ninjas and ePifany are perhaps less likely to find themselves in dangerous situations, the heart of their missions is the same. Venge sums it up perfectly: “Almost like Batman said in Batman Begins, ‘I want to show people that the city isn’t past being saved.’”

So do we, Venge. And thank you.

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I just asked a boy to prom and he said ‘YES’

In case you don’t already know me, I am not a 15 year old high school student and neither is Christina. However, there is going to be a prom for adults in Lansing on May 19th and every one is abuzz about who they are taking and how they are going to ask them. I am using every ounce of energy not to share some really good ideas people have.

As for Christina, it is a beautiful coincidence that the prom on May 19th is exactly 10 years and 1 day after her high school prom. To this day, she wished that she had the guts to ask her high school sweetheart (now husband) to prom when she was in high school. In a flurry of excitement she was giddy to ask him now that they are married, regardless of the fact that it is 10 years later. Just wait till you see what she will be wearing!

Let me back up a little bit and give you a little background on “Love through the Ages: A Prom for Adults“.

There is a group of beard enthusiasts in town and their love for facial hair has made our beautiful city the seat of the Great American Fierce Beard Organization (GAFBO). If you are confused about this leeway into the topic of facial hair, stick with me because it is about to make sense. A lot of people may say that facial here is back in fashion, but I would argue that “sexy never left”. GAFBO is collection of beautiful men and women; both bearded and un-bearded who put on unique events around Lansing to raise money for various charities. This time around, GAFBO is hosting a Prom for Adults to raise money for Potter Park Zoo.

If you are hearing about GAFBO for the first time, you might be having an “ah HA!” moment because the number of handsome men with facial hair around Lansing is much higher than the national average. Trust me, I am right about most things I say.

Kyle

John and Kate Buckler

Ian

If you see an epic beard around this part of the State, it is likely they are a part of the GAFBO army and if they aren’t they should be.

Phew! This is a major digression and I need to get back on task about prom. A more dedicated post about GAFBO is definitely in order. Anyways, this prom is going to be out of this world and here are a few highlights:

• I am pretty biased because I love this woman but I am most excited about DJ Rachael spinning at this prom. YES, a MAJOR step up from your high school DJ.  Furthermore, DJ Rachael’s set will be unlike anything you have ever heard before. In fact, she recently went on an iTunes shopping spree to compile music for prom. Just to give you a taste of what you might hear at prom; think cheddar cheese + DJ Rachel’s skillzzz + Elbow Pads + puffy shoulder pads + neon lights (not the band) + bass + beard fluff.
• GAFBO will be crowning a Prom King and a Prom Queen.
• There will be a cheese-tastic photo booth for prom photos.
• As they say on GAFBO’s blog post about this event “Formal attire required, ridiculous formal attire preferred.”
• There will also be really cool raffle prizes.

So, I hope I see you at prom. We would LOVE to hear how you ask out your significant others in the comments.

Event Details

What: Love through the Ages: A Prom for Adults

When: May 19th 2012

Where: Both stories of Gone Wired Cafe will be converted into a thumping prom venue.

Ticket price:  $20 in advance, $25 cash only at the door. (remember: proceeds to go help Potter Park Zoo)

Get tickets:  Here.

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Sir Henslee

It became my favorite time and ritual of the day. My arch-nemesis is still my alarm clock but I find that my most honest, creative and interesting thoughts happen when I am well rested with the freedom to day dream. As the day goes on, I develop narcoleptic tendencies making problem solving more difficult and easier to procrastinate. Without traffic and congestion, Henslee can sniff and play in the park without bothering anybody and and the city feels very simple, calm and completely mine.

My friend Mel and I: We Did It!

Always an active person, the city over time became my gym. There are places to run, bike, great tennis courts and parks.  Recently, many of those miles running were training for my first half marathon, which took place just a couple of weeks ago here in Lansing. That may not sound impressive to seasoned runners but the decision to take my “it would be cool to do someday” goal and place it into the “holy moly I just ran 13.1 miles” list of achievements was a very proud day for me.  I used to run in the mornings sometimes when it was really hot just to avoid the urge to die, but until recently, it was just ridiculous to wake up any earlier. My new schedule is amazing for morning workouts and I spend the rest of the day feeling like a warrior who has a legitimate reason for being hungry all day.

Can you judge a book by its cover, a neighborhood by its edging or a person planning to hurt or rob you? Maybe. But, maybe not. I have been asked if I feel safe being out and about alone so much in Lansing (or anywhere) and I honestly do. Of course, when I am with Henslee, he is my fierce protector with his watchful eye (he really only has one eye), with his other-a prosthetic-an unassuming decoy. However, alone or not, it is important to remain observant, devoid of the bold arrogance that makes me forget that I am not exempt from bad situations.

I would like to think that life is rainbows and jelly beans but people and situations can be deceiving. My neighbor Lynn once said that your home is your little piece of the earth to take responsibility for, hone and take care of. As communities, we have the obligation to do just that for ourselves, families and neighbors because together feels better than alone. Unsurprisingly, the Lansing Police Department (LPD) claims that most of the time when a criminal is caught it is because a neighbor called in suspicious activity. Potential overreacting could make all the difference.

Not that I have ever been scared or felt intimidated (cough), but what is the best way to react if a jerk decides to violate your security? I would like to think that I would have an instinctive guard with catlike reflexes; a super sleuth. Realistically, I’ve hid in my bedroom after hearing noises that were probably squirrels. Only once have I ever been in a compromising situation, which luckily ended well (read the synopsis here). However, if the circumstances were different, I shudder at what could have happened. I decided to be proactive instead of hoping that my reactive skills prevail.

Luckily, one of my neighbors is Jessica Yorko, a good friend whom I respect very much, and also our 4^th Ward City Council Representative. Always knowledgeable and rational, she put me in contact with the LPD who offers a women’s self defense class for free a couple of times per year.

LPD North Precinct

LPD Police Officers

Organized by three women police officers, their fundamental goal is to help women be aware and stay alive. To a gymnasium full of women ranging in age from high school to senior citizens, they emphasized essential considerations, actions and moves that can mean survival.

1. Confidence. If it isn’t genuine, fake it. Criminals seek out the meek and occupied.
2. Avoid simple mistakes so that you are less vulnerable: park in lit areas, wear your purse on your less dominant arm, keep keys in hand when walking to your car, keep your head up, look around and use your judgment.
3. Use your voice. It is the most important tool we have. Yell, rather than scream, to bring attention to you.
4. Fight. You are only given one life, despite your cat like reflexes. Do what it takes to survive.

They also taught us some easy moves that anybody can do beginning with a flat handed thrust (think kickboxing) while yelling “STOP!” to keep them out of your space. Many times, that reaction alone is enough to make them realize that you will fight back. Whether they are seeking you or your stuff, criminals want an easy target and do not want confrontation. Other moves include a flat punch to the stomach (or someplace soft), shin kicks and slides, a foot stomp and methods to get out of choking.

I highly recommend that everybody take this or another class. If nothing else, it improved the way that I think and made me consider things that I hadn’t before. What I described above is far from comprehensive and is only a basic overview of the insight gained. A good online reference can be found here, however, the best place to start is to call the LPD and find out when their next class is. Visit them online http://www.lansingmi.gov/police/ or call 517-483-4680.

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But you’re not.

You’re in the 10s… or something like that.

Starfarm at their most serious.

If you’re in central Michigan, however, there is one caveat to the rule. You could just be enjoying one of the region’s most popular tickets, Starfarm. Decked out in fabulously hideous clothing from a period in style most would rather be forgotten, the musical group performs the hits that won’t ever be. I myself have been known to hit the dance floor while screaming the chorus of many a Journey song expertly rendered by the local group.

For more than a decade, the core group of instrumentalists has built quite the following in mid-Michigan. Dana Mirate (drums), Sean Mirate (keyboards), Ryan Tarrant (bass) and “Slammin’ Danny” (guitar) have been together since 2001. And though the role of lead singer has had its instabilities, the group has hit solid ground through the vibrant vocals of Whitney Spotts for the past three years.

Having been members of the Lansing community for so long – all currently live in the greater Lansing area and most have been residents for more than 10 years – Starfarm has seen many changes in the city throughout the years.

If you ask Dana Mirate about the changes in the music scene specifically, he’ll quickly launch into a comparison of the past decade to the early 90s when he first arrived in East Lansing. As a music major at MSU, Dana was involved in the music scene from the word go.

“Everywhere you went, there were a lot of bars and clubs where you could play,” he recalls. “More people were writing original music and you could actually play that at bars. You could be an all-original band and play just one cover.”

Dana from Starfarm, who was gracious enough to sit and chat before a show at The Green Door.

Ryan Tarrant, though, is quick to point out that most all of Starfarm’s members still work on original music on the side, writing and recording songs. They just lament the loss of many quality establishments willing to push original bands.

But if you are looking for some original acts, they suggest checking out Mac’s Bar on East Michigan Avenue. They also identify The Green Door, Rick’s American Café, Lou & Harry’s Sports Bar, Dublin Square, Harper’s and The Exchange as decent places to catch live music in the area. Both agree that none of those, however, have a good house sound system or a good sound technician that really knows the space and how to make a band sounds good.

Which is why Dana makes me promise to mention Starfarm’s sound guy, John Miller, who is, “worth his weight in gold.”

For them, it’s something that Lansing is still in need of, even though they see a lot of positive changes happening downtown.

“The downtown has gone through a lot of changes,” says Ryan. “There didn’t used to be anything down there just six or seven years ago. When the Capital closed down, when the state workers weren’t there, they just rolled up the sidewalks and every single thing was closed. But now you can go down there and there are cool places to eat, there’s a lot of different bars to go to and you can get a lot of different vibes. “

Ryan of Starfarm fame, who was also nice enough to sit and chat before a show. And also nice enough to get me a beer.

“I like it,” adds Dana.

Take, for example, the outdoor Octoberfest music festival that downtown bars banded together to put on last Fall. Starfarm was ready to rock out Washington Street in a giant block party, if only Mother Nature had cooperated. The skies would not stop pouring rain and the temperatures dropped, making it unlikely to pull off the show.

“It was a shame,” says Dana. “It could have been very cool.”

One event that they did manage to pull off this year, however, was a rocking 80s party fundraiser for REACH Art Studio Center, put on by the Capital Area Women’s Lifestyle Magazine. You may remember hearing about it from our own Anika Fassia, who attended with some friends who came to town from Chicago to see what Lansing was all about.

“They go all-out decorating it,” Dana says, noting that it was the second time Starfarm had played the fundraiser and that they already had been booked for next year. “It’s top notch. I’d recommend it. It includes food, all these great party favors, candy from the 80s. You mingle with some pretty important people and, I think it’s cool.”

“And it’s fun,” chimes in Ryan, repeating the mantra of this very blog. “There’s a lot of really cool people, a lot of young professionals, who want to come out and have a good time for a charity.”

After talking to the pair for some time, it becomes obvious that, yes, Lansing has a long way to go. It’s tough to make a living as a musician in the area, getting paid little to nothing for years of tuition, practice and investments into equipment. Working a day job while being gone every single weekend performing is difficult, especially for those in the band with kids.

But there is still plenty to celebrate and use as a springboard into the future.

Starfarm at their finest.

“There’s some great stuff that you can see for free even sometimes like at the Wharton Center,” agrees Ryan.

“I remember once when Branford Marsalis was at the Creole Gallery down here and they just went out and did a show,” continues Ryan. “One of the top jazz musicians in the entire country just kind of on the down-low went in and did a show. You’re just walking down the street and you’re like, ‘Is that Marsalis playing here? That’s pretty cool’”

“Rodney Whitaker teaches jazz at MSU and is one of the most sought after bass players for jazz,” says Dana, chiming in. “And he brings in these cats. He brings in Wynton Marsalis and Branford Marsalis. And that’s here. You won’t see that in Iowa. You’ll see it in Chicago, but you’ll pay a lot of money.

“I’ll tell you right now, every city you go to sucks to the people who are there all the time. There’s a level of suckiness in every single city; but it’s what you make of it. It’s about the community and the effort you put into it.”

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Located in Alberta, Canada, the Banff Centre receives approximately 300 film applicants per year. Top films are chosen, and shown to approximately 75,000 audience members at the Centre. Then the film festival goes on a World Tour, in 30 + countries, reaching 280,000 people. Michigan State University Outdoors Club sponsored a viewing on campus, for a 3 hour showing. MSU chose the films, with each film length varying, some up to 45 minutes long, but most approximately 15. Last year one clip was only a few minutes.

The films are breathtaking, and the action has you at the edge of your seat. The trailer (which I watched about 4 times prior to the show) is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHDGv1RR2v4 It includes a few ads, but I feel they do an excellent job of incorporating the incredible natural footage we want to see and then the ad or the plug to the company and gear.

The films cannot be watched on Itunes or Youtube although you can get clips and trailers. Most can be purchased, from the links below, which is of course encouraged as I can’t imagine the costs and effort it takes to produce these films. Most links though have a free trailer! The selections of this year included:

1. All.I.Can: The Short Cut

Stunning time-lapse sequences, creative visuals, great skiers, and deep powder are highlights of this excerpt from the award-winning feature film that looks at snow sports and the environment. I have been thinking of buying this one. It was my favorite of the selections this year.

2. C.A.R.C.A

(C.A.R.C.A = Canadian Avalanche Rescue Cat Association) One man’s quest to revolutionize the world of animal avalanche rescue. A quirky, dorky film, but still very funny. They even have their own facebook page.

3. The Freedom Chair

Josh Dueck was an aspiring skier and coach until a ski accident in 2004 changed his life forever. Despite his comeback and success in the world of competitive sit-skiing, he wasn’t content. Josh’s dream is to tackle the backcountry and the steepest and wildest mountains in the world — and with his infectious outlook, he may just catch his dream.

4. Kadoma

“Kadoma” is the nickname for Hendri Coetzee, a legendary South African kayaker who is known for exploring some of Africa’s wildest rivers. In December 2010, American pro kayakers Chris Korbulic and Ben Stookesbury followed Coetzee into the Democratic Republic of Congo for a first descent of the dangerous Lukuga River. Seven weeks into the expedition, tragedy struck.

5. On Assignment: Jimmy Chin

A brief portrait of a passionate athlete who has melded climbing and photography. Jimmy Chin believes that “the most honest photos happen when both the subject and the photographer are just in the moment, and the rest of the world has just fallen away.”

6. Reel Rock: Ice Revolution

A revolution is taking place, led by Canadian maniac Will Gadd. After 30 years of ice climbing, Gadd has finally realized his dream of climbing radically overhanging, heinously difficult ice at British Columbia’s spectacular Helmcken Falls. Gadd and Tim Emmett dodge exploding icicle bombs and send the hardest pure ice climb in the world.

7. Reel Rock: Sketchy Andy

American climbing dirtbag Andy Lewis is taking the discipline of slacklining into the future as he solos the world’s longest high-lines and masters the hardest aerial tricks, while pushing his equipment to the limit. As Andy goes higher, harder, and faster with climbing, slack, and B.A.S.E., we all wonder how far he can go before it’ll be one step over the line.

8. Seasons: Winter

Brian Ward discovers an unexpected and new-found love for water, in its frozen and expanded form.

9. Ski Bums Never Die

What does it take to be a ski bum? An unending dedication to powder skiing? The ability to do anything in your ski boots? A lifelong quest for deep snow? This unusual and inspiring band of skiers in the Kootenay region of British Columbia explains.

10. Towers of the Ennedi

The Ennedi Desert of Chad is a hot, sand-scoured, and unfriendly place. But from its vast belly rise clusters of breathtakingly lovely spires, towers, and rock formations. Veteran climber Mark Synnott, known more for his far-flung adventures than his technical accomplishments, brings young climbing stars Alex Honnold and James Pearson to the Ennedi to explore its untouched landscapes. Two years ago we were introduced to the young free climber Alex Honnold. He claimed to be one of the boldest climbers and we laugh as Alex climbs five routes as his friend, also a very talented climber, summits one difficult tower.

I am always astounded by the lifestyle choices made by the makers of the films, living within alligator and hippo infested waters, out of vans, and at the national parks. Mostly I am jealous, and as one youtube trailer commenter put it, “Wow, my life sucks”. Then I realize that it is all about the choices we make, and how we decide personally to make the world a better place. By inspiration, living a free lifestyle, defining yourself as limitless, invincible, living like this IS your last day on earth, or simply being excited by living. Live by being grateful, living in the moment and actively engaged in even the smallest daily tasks and chores.

But, always, I leave this festival thinking how can I do my best to protect such wild, incredible places? My short answer: inform yourself and go see the best possible films of the year!

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Captial City Film Festival logo

Last weekend the two of us (Khalid and Shannon) jam packed our schedules with Capital City Film Fest fun, and for anyone who says there is nothing to do in Lansing, well, I call your bluff! We took advantage of the $50 festival pass deal and were able to come in and out of various films, parties, and shows for the festival’s four day entirety. There was so much to do this year that we had to carve out unique paths through the weekend festivities to make the most of all CCFF.

I went to see a bunch of the films and as you may have read in my previous post, I was especially anticipating the series of films directed by women. – Shannon

For me, the film festival was more of a music festival. I came out of the CCFF weekend with wonderful concert memories and new musical crushes.  – Khalid

This is how we spent our weekend….

 Thursday

Red Carpet group shot, courtesy of Ariniko Artistry.

I kicked things off with the CCFF Opening Night Red Carpet Party, which I prepped for by getting all dolled up with some girlfriends over white wine sangrias at our friend’s baller apartment just a few blocks down from the big party spot- Troppo in downtown Lansing. We all walked over together, met the fellas, and posed for some stunna pics! I then enjoyed one of the drinks on special, a beautiful troppotini…or two… a few appetizers and lots of socializing with the absolutely at capacity party. From there I walked down to the Lansing Center to catch the opening night Film “Elderly Instruments: All Things Strings”, which was playing to a full house. I felt enlightened from watching this well done documentary, for as a resident of Lansing for the past few years now, I had absolutely no idea that such a world reknown and gem of a business was located right in old town! I then ended the night by walking across the street to The Loft, where I caught the Greensky Bluegrass show, amongst the hundreds of others packing the venue. - Shannon

The opening night was a perfect kickoff for CCFF; there was a red carpet to welcome all the guests, omnipresent camera flashes, and opportunities to meet some of the directors. A few of the TEDx presenters were also at the red carpet event and I got previews of their talks for TEDx. This opening event had a big turnout yet it felt intimate enough for people to get to know each other. Anticipation was in the air on Thursday evening.- Khalid

Friday

The stage set up for TEDx lansing. - Photo from the TEDx Lansing facebook page.

I took the day off of work to participate in my first ever TEDx Lansing experience. I say experience, because this event was just that. Among the wonderful line up of speakers, all sharing approximately 15 minutes of inspiring stories, big ideas, and their passion for positive change in the region, there was a fantastic performance by the spoken word and poetry duo, Kinetic Effect, a collection of original music performed by the ecclectic The Lansing Unionized Vaudeville Spectacle, and a choice of local food prepared by two famous Lansing foodtrucks, The Purple Carrot and King of the Grill: Smoked Barbeque. My day did not end here, however! After a quick break and change of wardrobe, I came back to the Lansing Public Media Center that evening to watch the unbelievably moving short documentary “Little Mom”, the feature documentary “Man on a Mission”, and listen to the talk back by “Man on a Mission” composer Brian Satterwhite . I spent the evening crying over the day to day struggles of young girls tasked with the adult responsibilities of being primary caretakers for their older sibling living with a disability, laughing over the antics of Richard Garriot while he was documented on his journey of becoming the first son of an astronaut to go to space, privately, and then being moved by the passion and insight into the making of the film given by Brian at day’s end. I was so exhausted from my evening, that I just grabbed a late dinner and called it a night in anticipation of my full day on Saturday! – Shannon

Jeana-Dee Allen Rogers – Increasing Engagement through Creativity and Technology

Amongst all the things that were happening this past weekend, I was most excited about TEDx. I felt so fortunate to be around passionate people who are making this world a better place. I especially connected with Tashmica Torok’s presentation about the Nayak AIDS Orphans project. Often organizations are too narrow minded about their approach for charitable causes but Teshmica’s work deals with the burden of poverty in a cohesive and holistic manner. The children at their schools, not only get an education but also food and clothing. These little things add up to a much better quality of life and a better education.  Her devotion to the project, her pictures, and her story had the audience captivated.

Jeana Dee Rogers was another speaker at TEDx and as she was invited to the stage, I was giddy with excitement to hear about her work. I am good friends with Jeana Dee but she is often too modest to talk about the wonderful things she does around this city. I always use Jeana Dee as an example of a great innovator who does everything from behind the scenes and she is a champion at  shrouding people from the effort she puts into her work. Jeana Dee talked about her work at the REACH studio art center. She showed us how she uses art to engage and connect with her students. Jeana Dee hoola-hooped as she presented. Was that a “first ever” for TEDx?

Friday evening was jam packed with a slew of bands that rocked my world. The Fencemen, Flatfoot, and Bars of Gold, opened for Murder by Death. The Fencemen started off the night with lots of energy and the rest of the bands kept matching the bar the Fencemen set for this show. I had never seen Bars of Gold live and I was intrigued to see their version of rocking out to a banjo, guitars, drums and intense lead vocals. Check out, their songs  The Hustle and Doctor and Lawyers to get a sense of the diversity in their sound.

Murder by Death was one of the most anticipated bands for this year’s CCFF. The cello is one of my favorite instruments and Adam Turla, the lead singer has a hauntingly deep voice. The cellist and the lead singer were a perfect combination. If you haven’t heard Murder by Death, I highly recommend that you check out their next show. – Khalid

Saturday

A screening of one of the CCFF films at the Temple Club, courtesy of Ariniko Artistry.

I took the opportunity to sleep in a bit on my weekend, arriving to my first event of the day at 2:30 p.m., being held at the nostalgic Temple Club in Old Town. While the screening of “Fake it so Real”, a documentary shedding light on the struggles, hopes, and ambitions of a group of young men who formed a pro wrestling group in Linconton, North Carolina, was not well attended, I certainly enjoyed myself as I learned a bit about just how much can go into a match, and how passionately these man feel about the sport. This feature film was paired with a short entitled “Street Pillow or The Sidewalk Sleep”, which I will admit I was not the biggest fan of. While I may not have loved this short, those in the audience seemed to as I am sure many people could relate to the quirky, yet shy, bike messenger who attempts to win over a beautiful woman with a daily, romantic gesture. Next, I viewed the entire block of Professional Shorts which included: “Clouds”, “Air Balloon”, “The Dance”, “The Extraordinary Life of Rocky”, “Other”, and “Bipolar: A Narration of Manic Depression”. This was one of my favorite portions of the weekend by far, for I was moved by so many of these short films. I was amazed at the character development and emotions evoked within the short amount of time that each film played for. While I wanted very badly to stay and view “Detachment”, I was feeling emotionally overwhelmed from the “Bipolar” screening, and felt it was a good time to grab some fresh air and dinner, then return to watch some of the Wes Anderson double feature. - Shannon

I was starting to feel bad about not going to any of the film screenings but until late afternoon, I was recovering from a late night of music at the Loft… am I getting that old? To start off my day, I had a relaxed morning with Murder by Death’s latest CD. As a contrasting juxtaposition to the shows from Friday night, Saturday’s line up was a lot more chill. CCFF organizers had transformed the Loft into a more relaxed candle lit hall. There were more chairs and tables for people to sit down and the music couldn’t have been more appropriate for the ambiance.

William Elliott Whitmore - Photo by Eat Pomegranate Photography

American Opera, Those Willows, and Nathan Alan opened up for William Elliott Whitmore. I am ashamed to say that I hadn’t heard of any of these bands; not ashamed because I feel like I should know every good band but ashamed because I had been missing out on such incredible music. William Elliott Whitmore invited the audience to sit on the stage with him and rocked my world with a kickdrum and a banjo. His music has been on daily rotation at my apartment. Check him out. – Khalid

Sunday

I arrived at the AFI DWW Showcase around 4:30 p.m., after having the amazing opportunity to lunch with a director of  the DWW short film, “Neighbors”, Rachel

Rachel Goldberg participating in the DWW Showcase talk back with CCFF Program Director, Dan Hartle, courtesy of Ariniko Artistry.

Goldberg. Her film was one of my favorites of the bunch and to have the chance to chat with her about her role as a female filmmaker and her experience creating the short, among other things, was a privelage I am honored to have had. She was hilarious, friendly and so intelligent. I am a very lucky lady! But, back to the movie screenings. This was my second time screening the DWW block, as I got a sneak peak which I wrote about here, but I will admit that I was moved even more the second time around. This block of films  tugged on my heartstrings as the plots  centered around concepts of loss and self acceptance. Following the screening, Rachel Goldberg held a talk back where she answered some very thought provoking questions from the audience. Hands down, this portion of the film fest was my favorite. I had to then jet to The Loft to catch the closing night performance by Lights. This was an all ages show and the venue was at capacity. While I did not enjoy the tween crowd, I had easy access to the bar, and was able to dance the night away with many friends. – Shannon

LIGHTS - Photo by Eat Pomegranate Photography

I was in awe as I biked up to the Loft on Sunday because the line was wrapped around the block. I heard that fans had been waiting in line since 10am to see Lights perform that night. I was  fortunate to have staff credentials for being a CCFF photographer, otherwise I would have been at the end of that line for a couple of hours. Rival Summers opened up for Lights and set the stage for a high energy conclusion to another awesome weekend in Lansing. - Khalid

All in all, we had an absolutely amazing weekend participating in some of what the Capital City Film Fest had to offer, and we can only hope to squeeze in even more fun the next time around! – Shannon and Khalid

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According to the Celluloid Ceiling 2007 Report, women accounted for only 6% of directors of the top 250 domestic grossing films released in 2007, a decline of 1% since 2006. This figure is approximately half the percentage of women directors working in 2000 when women accounted for 11% of all directors. While these statistics are dated by a few years, it is apparent that the role of women as directors is on the decline. Women in roles of leadership in general are scarce; just look to the role of women in U.S. Congress for example, where they hold approximately 17% of the elected seats, according to the Center for Women in Politics, yet make up about 51% of the United States population as of the 2010 U.S. Census. It is obvious that women are underrepresented, but what can be done about it? In my opinion the first step is to support the women who do take on leadership roles.

What is so amazing about these films are not just that they are directed by women, which is a rarity within itself,  but the films depict female characters in a very empowering way.

The way in which individuals are represented in media shapes our cultural norms and attitudes, we all know that. Mainstream media typically reinforces gender stereotypes and normalizes sexism. I mean, how many more romcoms can be made where a woman is obsessed with finding a partner, is willing to turn against her female “friends” to get the man, and lives” happily ever after” by giving up her own autonomy, passions, hobbies, (well, hobbies other than shopping, getting her nails done, and adding wedding themed pins to her pinterest board!) to shack up with the man of her dreams? (Not to hate on shopping and mani/pedis, because I am a gal who loves her occassional mani/pedi, but there is SO much more to life not necessarily portrayed in your typical romantic comedy female lead…) Not only are many women depicted as dependent on males in order to live a fulfilling life, but they are objectified as sex objects, which reinforces a culture of misogyny and violence against women. This has an affect not only on the dynamics of a healthy relationship, but these gender norms then limit women and girls socially, as well as politically.

I know. I sound cynical. And I am. But I do recognize that there are films out there that empower women. Depict realistic relationships. Encourage women to defy traditional gender roles and follow their own dreams, which will then lead to living happily ever after, with no expectations of what that “happily ever after” has to be. And the block of shorts directed by women for this year’s festival does just that.

Watching “Oowiewanna” by Bridget Palardy made my heart very happy. It leaves you with a message that we are all beautiful, regardless of whether we meet traditional standards of beauty or not. And we get to be a part of a young girl’s journey as she comes to discover this, and learns to accept herself, flaws and all, and embrace her individuality over conformity.

“Hold for Laughs” by Amy French takes you on a voyage with Margaret, as she shares her experiences as an awkward 13 year old high school freshman at all girls Catholic high school, where she does not necessarily fit in. We get to see her transform from this shy teenager to a confident stand up comedian where she takes her life experiences and enlightens the audience with them.

I was moved by the relationship portrayed in “Neighbors” by Rachel Goldberg, as the life of Maggie, a shut in with overwhelming social anxieties is examined. She has crippling fears, which prohibit her from leaving the house, yet she is able to form a life-changing relationship with a neighbor, which allows us all to recognize the power of human connection.

“The Death of Toys” by Lisa Gold shares the struggle of a woman as she deals with the fact that her young son is growing up and life is changing. As she faces loss in her life head on, she must also recognize that her son is growing up and the life they have been living the past decade is about to change. And that can be okay. She must learn to let go in order to let her son become the person he is going to be, which leads to personal growth on her part in ways of which she did not see coming.

“Megafauna” by Kaz Phillips gives us a very raw look into a relationship between Anna and Milo. We see the struggle of two people putting it all out there, discussing the intensity and pain of love, and are left feeling uncomfortable, because just like real life, this movie portrays the fact that relationships are not easy. That sometimes, love is hard.

I laughed harder than I have in some time while watching “Overdrawn” by Sylvia Sether, as you relate to Emma, a young woman who has reached her limit and is forced to re-examine her life. I feel that so many of us reach a breaking point and are overwhelmed by the fact that we yearn to find a path in life that best suits us- career-wise, relationship-wise, etc., yet often times cannot decide what it is that we want. This movie takes that breaking point and adds a comedic aspect to it, letting us laugh along with Emma as she faces her life hurdles  head on and re-creates her life path.

Finally, there was my absolute favorite short film, “Losing Ferguson” by Trisha Gum. This film was cute. And quirky. And shared such a significant story of loss, learning to cope with that loss, and accepting a life of independence. The young woman in the film must come to terms with the fact that her imaginary friend, whom she has relied on to get her through some very tough times, is breaking up with her. That it is time for her to live a life on her own, relying on herself for comfort and happiness. The woman is empowered to live a life that is best for her and recognizes that she is able to make that happen on her own. And it is amazing.

So, there you have it. A brief summary of the short films, from my perspecitve, in this year’s AFI Directing Workshop for Women Showcase, which will be held on Sunday, April 15th from 4:30 to 7 p.m.

I encourage you all to check it out, experience the beauty that is each and every one of the films, and support the amazing women who are taking on leadership roles in the world of filmmaking.

Festival Details:

Capital City Film Festival- Thursday, April 12th through Sunday, April 15th.

Festival pass: $50 (the best deal in my opinion!) which gets you into all four days of film, all four nights of concerts, admission into all festival parties and the Media Sandbox Capstone Series, and finally admission and lunch for TEDx Lansing on Friday, April 13th.

Individual film tickets: $5 for any film block and $10-13 for music shows.

All film summaries and additional information found at www.capitalcityfilmfest.com

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What’s better than living and loving in Lansing?!?!

Nothing.

But visiting Lansing to see why we all love it so much comes close.

I tell everyone to come visit me in Lansing. Friends from all over the country. Just to see if one day, somehow, they will decide to make the trek to the mid-mitten, assuming I was worth it–even if the only thing they knew about Lansing was that it is the capital of Michigan.

I was about to leave Lansing without ever having the chance to share the benefits of living in a small city to some of my big city friends. And then it happened.

As I come to week 2 of my reflections, I’d like to tell you how sharing my love for Lansing was one of my favorite moments…..

My fellow social workers, my favorite couple and my dearest friends, Seva G. and Pita Pocket arrived in REO Town at the stroke of midnight from the windy city of Chicago. Now you may think, that’s not that far–but hey, I was thrilled.

I wanted to show them a day in the life of Anika in Lansing. Or rather, a weekend in the life of Anika in Lansing. I wasn’t worried about entertaining them, something is always happening in Lansing and I was sure fun times were upon us. Because I am fun. And Lansing is great.

SaturDAY: My friends may not consider themselves regular yoga practitioners, but I knew Just B Yoga would be a welcoming and safe place for them to explore their practice. And just as I had imagined, Belinda facilitated an environment that was warm and compassionate. Allowing them to be in their space amidst the beautiful community we have here in Lansing. 

SaturEVE: The Capital Area Women’s Lifestyle Magazine 80′s fundraiser!

We danced the night away to Starfarm with our mouths full of our favorite candies, our hair decked out and faces dolled up. When they played ‘Like a Prayer’ by Madonna- I was sold. Play that song anytime, anywhere and my night is made. Top it off with amazing company and big hair and I couldn’t be a happier brown sauce.

And as if it couldn’t get any better, proceeds went to the REACH Art Studio Center which is currently located right in my neighborhood and on my street.

SunDAY: We woke up slowly, cuddled…yes, all three of us..and began to make breakfast in my cute house in REO Town. We then proceeded to catch up on love and life under the sun on my back porch.

I love my neighborhood. It’s safe, clean, friendly and centrally located. I wanted to show my friends the perks of living in REO town….so we went on a tour of my hood.

First stop was Moore’s Park, where the River Trail ends and leaves you at the smokestacks of the Board, Water and Light of Lansing. It’s industrially chic. If that makes sense. I like it. You can often find people fishing, take a walk up the steps of the old Moore’s Park pool and get a great view of the park, play with your dog or enjoy a picnic. We decided to climb trees and lay in the petals. We continued our tour doing crunches on the bleachers of the Moore’s Park pool and then meandering through the streets of my neighborhood. Fun times indeed.

We ended our afternoon together with a stop at Old Town, where I showed them the many shops to find sweet treats and unique gifts to take back home. I feel confident that if anyone ever asks Seva G. and Pita Pocket about Lansing, they will not hesitate to say, ‘Oh I’ve been there, that place is baller.’

Love you both.

~Anika

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MessageMakers - Old Town

I learned that Adriane and her husband were near neighbors on Lansing’s Westside, adding to the list of amazing and talented people I know all making homes near mine. Later that summer, she started a book club and filled it with a random group of clever and fun women who brought their clever and fun friends, resulting in a wine club with a book problem.

Earlier this year, we read No More Dirty Looks, a book that sheds light to the beauty product industry and the dangerous chemicals from which they are made. As a natural girl with ’granola’ tendencies, this book drove me to explore simpler methods for my already short list of regularly used products, without sacrificing feeling and, more importantly, smelling, pretty.

Before our country became so factory made, people made beautiful scents using flowers and oils, and skin had a shine that was attributed to ingredients that taste as good as they make us look and our bodies feel. With that said, why on earth was I buying a perfume that was chemically composed to smell like something growing in a field right in Michigan? Even scarier, because companies are allowed to keep recipes a secret, the generic term ‘perfume’ or ‘parfume’ is used to indicate scent. Who knows what that can mean? Pretty please pour that all over my body. No thanks.

It was then that I decided that if an unhealthy toxin was going to enter into my body, it was not to be from sneaky chemicals taking the passive route through pores, skin, and inhalation, but rather as a conscious choice like say, by way of a cocktail. Luckily, there are a number of products out there that are safe to use, with many becoming mainstream and affordable at places around Lansing like Target and Foods for Living.

Also illustrated are several DIY methods for all sorts of products. I do so love to make things, but that does not mean that I have time to become a human Meijer, throwing all consumerism to the wind. However, to be fair, many of these options are as easy as raiding your pantry for items like apple cider vinegar, baking soda, olive oil, avocados, mayonaisse, and coconut extract. Not only can you snack on whatever you don’t use, but you can use the same product on your lips as your hands and face, yielding the same vitamin replenishing results.

One recipe that peeked my interest was for homemade hair gel, so basic it made me wonder why I ever wasted $13 on a bottle of the store bought stuff containing scary ingredients such as riboxclaksicidoaidieoide. Ok, so that isn’t an actual thing, but I guarantee that your product labels are just as unrecognizable.

Quite simply, you add 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed into one cup of boiling water and whisk until it gets frothy.  Back in the 1920′s, Flappers regularly recreated their styles using this recipe. For all of you who think that your crazy curls are too intense for this methodology have not seen my freak flag fly, especially on days where the humidity is so high that I may be mistaken for Bozo the Clown.  Nevertheless, it works, and simply by dabbing your fingers into the gel and working it into your hair before proceeding to dry it per usual.

Basic Ingredients

Whisking

Finished Hair Gel

Ta Da!

My hair no longer looks crunchy and in between batches it looks normal without any gel because it is not dependent on chemicals perpetuating the need for more product. On one of our many long walks around Lansing, my boyfriend lovingly joked that a bird or squirrel might think I brought lunch. However, despite any judgments, you don’t walk around smelling like food, and a wild, hungry animal has never attacked me (although the hilarious mental image is definitely noted).

I will say that I started making half of the amount because organically produced products have a lifespan. I stored the remaining hair gel in an airtight container for longevity, but it was still an experiment to determine how long it would actually last. It was certainly an unfortunate experience to learn the hard way, as I tend to do, by quickly going through my routine and inevitably covering my hair with something that had, on a dime, become rotten. That potent, disgusting smell was enough of a reminder that failing to stop and smell the roses may include a frantic, head under the sink, additional shampooing for the day.

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Photo by Eat Pomegranate Photography

Car Free for a Month

Deciding to go carless usually is not a very common thing to do in Michigan. That whole unpredictable weather situation was also something to consider. Still, I decided to live car-free for four whole weeks, which then turned into nine weeks of adventure and realization.

As it was, I had a trip scheduled for a few weeks during Christmas break, so the decision to halt my car insurance was a little easier to make. I learned that my insurance company would put a hold on my car insurance for a period of time, and then restore it when I decided to reinstate it. All it took was a simple, “Hi Janet, could you take the insurance off my car starting in December?” She happily responded with, “Sure thing, but we will keep the ‘storage’ coverage active (i.e. if a tree falls on it, or that tornado rips through town). Call us when you want it back on.” Simple. But then, the realization that now it was illegal to drive my car hit me.

Photo by Eat Pomegranate Photography

I had attempted bus transportation before, and in summers made extra efforts to only travel by bike, but never had I been completely successful at carless transportation. Even as much as I was intrigued with the idea of utilizing any or all modes of transportation, other than my fuel-efficient car, it was difficult. My car sat there, always tempting me, reminding me of all the time I would save. I could do so much with those extra 10 minutes, like grab a lunch, or that extra pair of shoes. Also, the trunk came in handy for collecting my shopping and groceries. All very tempting and legitimate reasons to stick with a car. As much as I loved being outside and enjoyed walking, I still needed an extra push. I was also paranoid of being a mooch; fearing inconveniencing my friends with driving me around. Or worse, people feeling sorry for me because I was without a car. I did not want people to think I gave up my car due to necessity. And finally, believe it or not, I thought people would question what in the world was I wearing while biking?

Public Transportation

Public transportation in Lansing is awkward, frustrating, and it is rarely, if ever, on time. You are required to sit next to a stranger. And unfortunately, we tend to avoid these interactions, especially sharing a seat with someone we don’t know. It wasn’t appealing. And also, once I’m on the bus, I encounter other feelings. Feelings of sympathy for the single mother who is struggling to calm her young children, and make it to work on time. Or the hypocrisy of sitting in my business casual attire, checking my phone, as the homeless man sits across from me carrying his empty bottles. The situation makes me uncomfortable. Even more challenging and important to me were the issues surrounding public transportation. Why a car of one gets significant priority over a bus of 30+ people like the ones I encountered, who have so few transportation options, continually astounds me. I still don’t know how to fix these feelings, but I can tell you now what I have learned.

Carless traveling means freedom and discovering opportunities. As much as I like saving money and gas, it was more about the experience and learning to structure my day in a different manner. Catching rides with friends meant that I got to spend extra time with them. Being able to have a chat I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to otherwise, if I was driving myself. Discovering that a coworker lives a few blocks away, creating an opportunity for a new friendship. The people you meet along the way, that you never would have while confined to your own car, make the whole experience worthwhile. Racing Evy, a chipper girl originally from Detroit, to the bus stop brought delight. Greetings from Bill, the bus driver made my mornings. “Good morning!” he would cheerfully say and if I missed the bus on some mornings, he made a point to let me know I was missed. Deciding to give up the car introduced me to a new circle of people: my community.

Pannier Christmas present!

Dad and I fixing the old girl up on Christmas Eve!

Dad and I fixing the old girl up on Christmas Eve!

Photo by Eat Pomegranate Photography

I found an honest sense of freedom from traveling with all different modes of transportation. Bicycling for instance was my favorite. Plain and simple. If that is not freedom, I don’t know what is. Freedom was also being able to ride anywhere with a friend or family member. I had options. I had no tether to a giant object that could inflict parking tickets in East Lansing seemingly wherever it was parked. I was free of that vehicle that seemed to enclose me and isolate me from my community and the many opportunities it had to offer. I was able to ride my bike and feel the wind on my skin, through my hair, and see the world I live in through a new lens. However, the cold was something to get used to and learn to love. Waiting for the bus was the most difficult, but I learned to layer, a plus in Michigan. The bike ride turned sweaty sometimes, but then, I learned to do away with scarves while biking. It was frustrating. It was nerve wrecking. But, I became much more sociable, learning to start conversation with the person waiting for the bus with me (i.e. meeting bus stop Chris!). I became much more aware and familiar with the bus schedule,  the 6:04pm a bus comes at Abbot and Grand River, or at 9:04pm it starts running every half hour. I grew patient, and grateful. I was grateful I had options of the different ways to get around. I could choose, and this time I chose easily. The decision wasn’t so hard. I was going to bike. I was going to walk. I could be five minutes late. I could run all errands at one time. I could stay on that side of town all night. It was a long two month experiment, but one of the best I’d done in a long time.

Lastly, spring (a blazing hot summer?) is upon us. And with summer, the anticipated months of May and June, which as my coworkers, advocates and community planners jump at, the start of biking months! Please make note, May will be bike month, and June will be smart commute month. The difference: bike month equals getting everyone and anyone upon a bicycle of any shape or size. Smart commute month equals getting people to use all modes of transportation to and from work (i.e. public transit, car pooling, biking, walking, jumping, skipping, you name it). Please return soon and read my blog about biking tips for each of these months! (A sneak peak…a how to on using the pay kiosk on a bus, and on racking your bike on the front of a CATA bus!).

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You know you’ve felt it. That moment when something in your brain just clicks. You get goosebumps, you’re flooded with adrenalin, and you just can’t keep the smile off your face. If you haven’t felt that? Go learn something. Right now. YouTube will do. Anything. What are you interested in? What don’t you know? Because you know there’s something you don’t know. Go learn it, then come back here and tell me how it felt. If you said, “Dude, it was lame and I didn’t feel anything,” I’ll know you’re lying. Or that you searched for something you’re not passionate about. Because, really, that’s what learning is about. Passion. And, as you’ll read in the article that follows, Kleenex.

Interestingly enough, that’s also what TEDxLansing is about. (See what I did there?) I’m one of the luckiest girls in the world. Three years ago, I was sitting at Lansing Give Camp with Jen Middlin and Betsy Weber talking about all the cool stuff we wanted to do. As a huge fan of TED, when Jen said “Let’s do this TEDx thing” I jumped up and down and squealed, and realized I looked stupid, put on my best Fonz cool face and said “Sure. sounds fun.” I had no idea.

The first year, 2010. I only cried once. I was a champion. Now, I’m not exactly a ball of touchy-feely emotions, so when I cry you know something pretty significant has happened. That pretty significant something was this TEDxLansing talk by Betsy Miner-Swartz about how organ donors can save so many lives, despite having tragically given their own. It was snot town up in my seat. But if you’re at work you might want to give your officemates a heads up. (like I just had to, because I’m tearing up like a chump just writing about it).

Photo by Daniel J Hogan

The second year? I cried twice. Yeah. Twice. The first was Sharon Emery’s talk about living with a stutter and all the “disabled listeners” she encounters every day. Every. Single. Day. To think about how people have made her feel, how there was a good chance I’d made her feel that way myself just that day without realizing, how so many people every day have to watch as people write them off simply because the (often eloquent) words just won’t come out turned me into a twitchy, weeping ball of emotion. The only thing to pull me out of it was Jen demanding my shirt because she’d spilled coffee on hers and needed to do an interview. So, Jen? Thanks for being there in my time of need. I’ll never forget that, buddy.

Photo by Daniel J Hogan

The second installment in the series “Jess is a hot mess of emotion, and not in a pretty way” came from this poem by Rose Cooper. When she stood on that stage, and said with palpable pride “Michigan? MY Michigan? We may be down, but we are NEVER out” I kept it together for about thirty seconds. Kleenex, aisle one. And bring a mop. And maybe a change of clothes, because this girl is grossing me right out.

Here’s the thing. While it may sound like it? This article isn’t about me at all. Nor is it about my snot or my obvious need for a therapist of some sort. It’s about the power we all have as people to move one another. Seriously. We all have stories to tell. We all have that one big idea. And those ideas have the power to move others to action or to tears … or to laughter.

We’re about to start announcing the TEDxLansing 2012 lineup. We’ve reduced the audience numbers to give those speakers the opportunity to feel a connection with each and every person in attendance. And vice versa. The greatest thing about planning TEDxLansing is scouring the area to find these stories, these big ideas, and these moments. We want to make you feel feelings. Happy, sad, inspired… anything but nauseous really. This year we teamed up with the Capital City Film Festival to give you a whole weekend of feelings.

Come on and join us for what’s guaranteed to be an epic weekend. I’ll bring the Kleenex (the fancy kind with lotion and menthol and everything), and I’ll probably even share. And the first one of you to make me cry, speaker or not, gets a beer on me.* ** Or a Faygo. You choose. In the meantime, keep your eyes peeled on the TEDxLansing Facebook page, Twitter, or website for speaker announcements and other fabulous information. Join us April 13 at the Lansing Public Media Center and tell us: what’s YOUR big idea?

*     Yes, you can. That’s a lie.
**   Punching, kicking, physical harm and name calling don’t count, cheaters.
*** I mean I’ll buy you a beer, not that you get to dump one on me.

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I’m equally sad and excited to announce my impending departure. I have been loving and living in Lansing since August 2010 and in this brief time, I have been blessed to be in a city beaming with genuine and committed residents.

I’ve accepted a job offer and am relocating to Austin, Texas. That’s right, I’m heading down South, where everything is bigger, but not necessarily better than Lansing.

From the time I accepted this new opportunity, every moment has been one of gratitude and reflection. I wish that during all points in my life I could say I have felt truly grateful, but self-imposed busyness can get in the way, and I’ll be the first to admit that I allow myself to forget all the amazing people and things I experience in life.

With that said, I want to take the next 6 weeks to reflect on the people, places and moments in Lansing that have warmed my heart.

This week is dedicated to: walks to the City Market with my colleague and dear friend, Jane Z.

The power of relationships continues to astound me. In my line of work, I’m often reminded that ‘relationships are everything’. When I feel like I’ve heard this more times than I can count, I continue to realize that I can never be reminded too many times of the simplest things.

My office is located on the River Trail, and a 20 minute walk from the City Market. It is all too easy to sit at my desk, eat at my desk, and only get up to use the restroom between 9 and 5. This drives me crazy about myself. I’m a huge proponent of self-care and balance and I continue to struggle with this when I’m at work. Not because I have to, I have the most amazing and flexible work environment one could ask for–but this is one area I could use some help.

Jane does just that. She pops her head in my office and says, “Anika, it is SO beautiful outside. Want to go for a walk? We could go to the City Market and Roma Bakery!?” Before you know it, these walks have become routine and a special time between me and my friend Jane. I’ve learned so much about her during these walks. I’ve learned so much about myself on these walks. I’ve learned so much about what cheeses I do like and what cheeses I don’t like on these walks.

Taking time out for sun. Taking time out to breath mindfully. Taking time out to be more than just a co-worker. Taking time out to relish in your surroundings. Taking time out to to feel the wind on your skin. Taking time out to listen.

I didn’t even need to go to the grocery store after work anymore. I saw that everything I needed was in walking distance and could be done with a partner in crime. I love grocery shopping. It is one of my most favorite things to do, and it’s even better when you have someone to do it with. By shopping at the City Market, you get to know the vendors, look forward to seeing their faces, try the new cheeses and cater your meals to what produce is in season. It changes your shopping experience to one of mindless consumerism and consumption to one of active engagement and relationship building.

As I take time to reflect on loving, living and leaving Lansing, this is definitely one of the things I will miss most. Not just the City Market, but walking to the City Market with my dear friend, Jane Z.

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Old Town Sign Post taken from Sharon Drummond's Flickr photostream

My wife and I have a problem whenever we go out to eat, and it is something that I don’t think we will ever be able to rectify.  She is someone who, upon the conclusion of her meal, likes to sit there and chat and digest.  I, on the other hand, need to immediately move.  I despise sitting still in a restaurant after eating.  I start readjusting my seat. My leg starts bouncing up and down.  I fail to pay attention to the conversation at hand.  I just need to move.  I need to get out of there.  There’s no real reason to it, I just hate staying still right after eating.  This is why Golden Harvest is perfectly suited to my dining needs.  Once you’re done, they are going to kick you out.

Not all restaurants are like Golden Harvest though.  Some places will be content with filling your coffee cup over and over and over again.  I hate this.  Mostly because my wife will drink her coffee and engage in, what I can only assume is, the most meaningful and wonderful conversation of her life.  I don’t know.  I stopped paying attention, and I cannot fathom why anyone would want to stay put after eating unless it was so utterly engrossing.  This inability to control my ADHD after eating has indirectly led me to discovering the art scene in Old Town though.

Not following me?  Don’t worry, I’ll explain.

Across the street from Old Town Diner, which used to be the home of the greatest hash browns in the entire world (and sadly that cook no longer works there), was a shop called Spiderhouse Gallery.  This store/gallery was perfect.  If Kate wanted to hang out and drink coffee and discover all the mysteries of the world, she could.  If she cared to join me and look at some local art, she could.  I would leave, and have something to do, and she would get to choose whether or not to stay at the diner.

It was at Spiderhouse where we bought our first piece of artwork together.  We really dug the colors/layout of the painting, and even more so, we were enamored with the price tag.  Now, I have always enjoyed going to galleries and looking at art and wishing it was on my wall.  However, I take objection to artists who slather paint on something, put a few nails in there, and sell try to sell it for hundreds or thousands of dollars.  I understand that you “can’t put a price on art,” and that “beauty/worth is in the eye of the beholder,” yet if you are attempting to sell a piece of your artwork, it needs to be affordable or priced reasonably to the value of time/effort you put into it.  (I have a similar hatred for going to antique stores and seeing a rusty pair of garden shears priced at $50.  Just go buy a $10 dollar pair of garden shears and leave it outside for a summer, exposed to all the elements).

Now, I really, really, really want to go off on a rant here, but I digress.  You don’t read my articles for my worldviews on art (even though they are amazing).  You read to discover new things in Lansing.  So…one day at Spiderhouse, my wife and I found a painting with a great price tag.  The price tag said “A bottle of Riesling.”  We looked around at the artist’s other pieces.  The price tags asked for tubes of specific paint, tablets of paper, and many other art supplies.  She was only trying to recoup what she had used for each item.  This was something I could get behind.  Someone just wanted to share her art with the world, and found a reasonable way to do so.  Kate and I asked them to put a hold on the painting, and we went ahead and bought a bottle of wine, a tube of paint, a tablet, and something else and paid for the artwork.  It was much more than she asked for, but we loved the piece, and we loved how she priced everything out.

Around this same time, I was working with children on the Autism Spectrum.  It was a job

Absolute Gallery in Old Town, taken from Aunt Owwee's photostream on flickr.

that was extremely challenging and rewarding.  It was a job that required a great deal of patience, which I have in spades when it comes to dealing with children, but not with restaurants.  It was a job that changed my worldview.  I’ve worked in the educational setting since I was 14 years old.  Kids are great.  They make me laugh, they speak their mind without holding back, and it is amazing watching people discover something for the first time.  It’s also uplifting to help them discover ways to convey their emotions.  Working with children with Autism is entirely different.  You have to find ways to help autistic children convey what they are feeling.  Sometimes you are able to point at pictures of faces with a smile or a frown and the child will point out how they are feeling.

One child that I worked with closely, had very limited verbal skills.  This child was capable of great mood swings.  This was attributed to the fact that he was incapable of explaining how he felt at the time.  Now, you and I are capable of conveying our emotions through words and actions.  We are able to tell our friends and family that we are angry due a series of events.  We can recognize the factors that brought us joy and act accordingly.  Someone with ASD has all the same emotions that we have, yet it is extremely difficult to convey those emotions properly.

Think back to a time when you were so excited, or angry, that you just felt the need to scream.     Think of a time where someone said to you “A penny for your thoughts,” and you had no idea how to explain what you were just thinking or feeling.  What about attempting to describe the color red to someone who is blind?  These can be moments where we are frustrated with our inability to convey what we are thinking or feeling, but we all have outlets of some form   And Art Therapy can be a great outlet for children and adults with Autism.

People with Autism are very visual thinkers.  Those on the ASD scale who are less verbal than others may be able to convey their emotions through art itself.  Others may use their art as something to work their frustrations out on.  Still others will find themselves engrossed in the process of creating art that they become less frustrated and are found to be able to convey their feelings at a more even or comfortable pace.  It’s not that people with ASD are incapable of feeling strong emotions, it is that there is a difficult time processing their thoughts and turning it into dialogue.  Yet, those who diagnosed on the Autism spectrum are very visual thinkers.  Their art speaks to that fact.  And that art speaks to me.

Art is a way to stimulate conversation.  It is supposed to make you think.   It’s a form of communication.  However, without going off on another tangent, much of the art I see in a gallery does not speak to me.  I find no draw to it.  It does not make me stop and think about the world.  It does not challenge me.  But I can always count on one exhibit every year to make me stop in my tracks.

Absolute Gallery logo taken from their website.

Absolute Gallery’s “Art of Austism” exhibit, featuring young Michigan artists who fall under the ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder), runs this year through the end of March, and is well worth your time.  Kathy Holcomb, owner of Absolute Gallery, will walk you through the exhibit, and tell you a story about each of the artists involved.  It’s more than the usual spiel about an artist that you get at any gallery.  It’s a story of her interactions with each artists, full of anecdotes.  It’s a story of where the artists are from, and what their interests are.  You get the sense that Kathy is more invested in the artists than the art, and that’s the way it should be.  It is something you definitely need to check out.

Oh, and remember that child I mentioned above?  The one with wild mood swings, who was non-verbal.  When he was happy, he would find a picture of Elmo from Sesame Street and point to it.  If he was angry, he would generally throw things or run down the hallway.  After one particularly trying day, just before he was to go home, he handed me a picture he drew.  It was a picture of him, me, and Elmo.  That is my favorite piece of art of all time.

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How can you not love the "C" in this?

The question was posed to me as I approached a vacant building on south Washington Street in REO Town. The asker was a sharply dressed 20-something man who looked like he had stepped straight out of the roaring 20s. A trilby hat, suit coat, dark vest. Sharp.

He rubbed his hands together as wisps of white breath floated away into the night. It was a strange question to hear on a Wednesday evening in Lansing. And the fact that I was standing in front of an apparently abandoned building made it even stranger. Luckily, I had an answer at the ready.

“Bum’s rush.”

He smiled and swung the door open as I stepped into what might have been the most anticipated event of 2012 thus far. But perhaps I ought to back up and explain a little bit first.

One of said kick-ass logos. Well done, Redhead Design.

In early January, a mysterious message was sent through the ether via Twitter. It invited people to attend an event dubbed Vacant Lansing and pointed to a website with little more than a kick-ass logo, the number of tickets remaining, a date, a general region of Lansing, and the words “Expect Nothing.” I was intrigued, but passed it off. However, as the buzz continued to grow across the social media networks and I noticed my friends jumping in, I finally relented and bought a ticket myself.

As the weeks wore on, little was revealed. Every now and then, an email from “expectnothing” would appear in my inbox. Little hints and nuggets were strung along like bird seed leading the Road Runner into a trap. Suggestions were made to “get dolled up” but also to remember that “baby it’s cold outside”. One email sent in code had each letter in the message shifted 13 spaces in the alphabet away. Once decoded, it instructed us to bring our own booze.

For a second, people began to worry that perhaps it really was a cunning trap set by Wile E. Coyote. Daniel Hogan of Ginger and the Geek fame suggested here that perhaps, “Vacant Lansing is some sort of elaborate “Gotcha!” prank: Those assembled, dressed to the nines, mouths frothy with expectations, and fingers aching to Tweet the first details they see, are led to an empty room, with a lone figure playing a sad trombone. A large arrow points to the single Exit, past a barrel of burning money, with the words #VACROLLED painted in red, dripping letters over the door.”

On the day of the event, a final email was sent directing us to go on a treasure hunt to find posters around town pointing us in the right direction. But just in case we didn’t have the time, they also provided geo coordinates. Immediately I plugged them in and discovered we’d be heading to an old building with no windows.

Sounds like fun.

When I stepped into Vacant Lansing, I was immediately struck by the venue. Sure, it was an old, vacant building, but the hardwood floors, exposed brick and ceiling rafters were beautiful. With a little work, the space would become a gem in downtown Lansing. How was this place empty?

Abagail English - Eat Pomegranate Photography

Well, at least for one night, it wasn’t. The organizers had strung white lights throughout the rafters, set up a movie projector playing old 20s movies, put up a stage at the far end of the room and elegantly placed tables, chairs and a very cozy looking VIP lounge area. The south side of the room was cordoned off by some curtains. Behind them, bartenders on loan from various restaurants and bars throughout Lansing mixed era-accurate drinks (more often found at the Soup Spoon Cafe) to which we added the alcohol we brought to the party. And a professional photography setup encouraged attendees to pose with an old standup radio and a vintage chaise lounger.

Despite the elaborate setup, however, I’d have to say that it was the people of Lansing that really stole the show. Everywhere I looked, people were dressed to the nines, maybe even the tens. Colorful dresses, imaginative interpretations of flapper style, elbow-high gloves, intricate hair pieces, suits, vests, bow ties, fedoras – everybody looked fantastic.

Dylan Rogers from The Lansing Unionized Vaudeville Spectacle -Eat Pomegranate Photography

The event grew and grew as the night wore on. Swanky bands (The Lansing Unionized Vaudeville Spectacle) featuring a stand-up bass and some excellent vocals kept the party grooving. Eventually, the live entertainment gave way to the pumping rhythms of DJ Rachel spinning some of her signature house music. Before I knew it, an all-out dance party had broken out.

Hundreds of people in their finest apparel dancing the night away in a vacant building in a downtrodden section of downtown Lansing.

On a Wednesday night.

Without heat.

What a special event.

I think it’s important to stop for a moment and take stock of this.

The Lansing Unionized Vaudeville Spectacle - Eat Pomegranate Photograhy

A group of friends sat together one night and lamented the fact that there

was little opportunity for them to expand outside of their established social circles and interact with the numerous fun, intelligent, lively people that they knew were out there. An idea sparked to create an event advertised from the ground up so that it would spread organically throughout the community, an event where the people in their city they love could come together for a night of fun and mingling. But they didn’t let it stop at an idea. They went out and wrote a grant proposal to fund their idea. They hired bands and actors to make the night unique and special. They chose a venue that would highlight the amazing spaces and opportunities to be found throughout the city. They raised funds to help out a local business – Reach Studio Art Center in REO Town – which serves as an, “imaginative, creative space where anyone in the Greater Lansing area feels welcomed and encouraged to explore and practice art making–all while connecting with neighbors, families, artists, and their community.”

Cheryl Engfehr, Ken Kingery and Cecilia Fierro - Eat Pomegranate Photography

To me, this is what makes Lansing special. It’s the people who refuse to allow history and circumstances to dictate to them what their city should be. Instead, they have a vision and go out to make it happen. You can find them anywhere and everywhere – running for city council, founding unbelievable food trucks, recording and promoting the local music scene, planting community gardens, making the city more walkable and bikeable, creating amazing events out of thin air, and so much more.

All you have to do is look around.

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One of the options of frozen games to play throughout the night.

It was almost like a scene straight out of a C.S. Lewis novel. Tables for chess and checkers were made out of ice, as were the etched slabs and pucks used for shuffleboard. Giant blocks served as stools for shivering card players. But unlike the White Witch’s castle in the classic children’s novel, the inhabitants of Frost Fest’s tent couldn’t have been less similar to stone statues.

I arrived on the scene early, seeing as how the Cold Butt Euchre tournament began a mere 30 minutes after the festival opened on a closed-off Washington Square. Immediately I spotted a few people I recognized – as usually happens at these types of events in Lansing – and I took in my surroundings with a glass of Plaid Penguin, specially brewed by Michigan Brewing Company for the event. Rich, sweet, a bit nutty and a lot potent, the specialty ale was just as good as I remembered from last year. With a stage on the west side, a bar lining the south side, merchandise and registration on the north, and the frozen games in the open end on the east, the place was primed for partying.

Half-way through my first game of euchre, I realized the lunacy of sitting on a block of ice in 20-something-degree weather while sipping a cold beer. I solved the situation by switching to the hot hard cider being poured by the awesome volunteers. Though it warmed me up for the second round, my cards went cold (as did my partner’s) and we were booted from the tournament. No defense of the Cold Butt Euchre champions this year.

But no matter.

By this time, the party was in full swing. The tent was packed, the music was flowing and everyone was having a great time. The bar had an outstanding selection of beer, wine and – as mentioned – hot alcoholic beverages. There was even some fine pulled pork to help warm the stomachs of those brave enough to venture out in the cold.

Yours truly getting beat in euchre.

It was such a good time that I heard James Van Der Beek even made an appearance. Oh no, wait. That was just some random girl mistaking me for The Beek.

It happens.

The event would have been a hit with the games, booze, food and some tunes alone, but it was taken to another level when Company of Thieves took the stage. The quad from Chicago certainly knows how to read a crowd and rock an event. Time flew by as my friends and I – and everyone else I saw for that matter – had an amazing time in the streets of downtown Lansing.

That was perhaps the most amazing part about the event. Despite the frigid temperatures, it looked like every single person in attendance was having the time of their lives. I didn’t see so much as one frown from one unhappy customer nor did I hear a single complaint. I’m sure there were a few – there always are with so much going on – but whatever they were, they were drowned out by the copious amounts of people having a good time.

Rocking out in the streets of Lansing.

I suppose it goes to show that summer doesn’t have a monopoly on awesome outdoor events. And that whether you’re in Old Town, REO Town or downtown, Lansing knows how to throw one hell (frozen over) of a party.

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If you know me in person, you probably recognize that. And if you are a blog reader who has read any of my past posts, you most likely have picked up on that as well.

I was not always a foodie, however. I grew up on a diet of meat and potatoes, refusing to try anything green, spicy or ethnic. Seriously, as a kid, eating a taco was a very big deal. It really was not until six or seven years ago that I began experimenting with my taste palate and discovered my love for Indian food, sushi, spinach, mushrooms and various produce.

Then, four years ago, after much research and thought, I decided to go vegetarian, which forced me to look into new protein sources; thus opening my eyes to the world of beans, tofu, tempeh and nuts! I had to find a new way to make a “go-to” meal upon arriving home from a ten to twelve hour day of organizing (this time period was during my Union organizing days!) that replaced my frozen chicken breast on the George Foreman grill with something else just as protein-rich and filling. I would peruse various cookbooks, complete online recipe searches, and wander the aisles of Horrock’s looking for new items to try and new ways to combine some of my favorite foods to create a meal with extraordinary flavors- meals that would not only fuel my body but bring enjoyment while eating. I started to host dinner parties to test out some of my new culinary creations and began to appreciate the dishes I ordered at restaurants more than I had when I was ordering the standard cheeseburger at the nearby chain.

I learned that I love to try new foods, experiment with different ways to prepare my favorite food choices, and dine out. I just so happen to think that there is not a more intimate way to bond with friends and/or a partner than cooking a meal together, then enjoying said meal in amazing company. I began to look into where my food was coming from and the impact it has on not only my body, but my community. This led me to trying to  grow my own veggies in Anika’s garden last summer and spend a lot of time learning about where my food comes from at each restaurant I choose to patronize.

For all of these reasons, I decided to register for Lansing’s third annual local food system conference, “Everybody Eats: Cultivating Food Democracy”. This conference builds on earlier local food system conferences and will bring people together to explore opportunities for optimizing local resources, supporting local farmers and businesses, addressing health, hunger and food sovereignty issues in our community.  

The overall theme of this year’s conference is food democracy. According to the conference press release,

This is a topic of critical importance to all citizens including our elected officials, our health policy teams, and our area businesses.  As interests and approaches to food and farming proliferate, there is a need to take stock of the process and to critically reflect on what has been happening, individually and collectively.  Has it been an inclusive process?  Are all the voices within the food system being heard?  Can people throughout the food system make a decent living? In short, are we moving toward greater self-reliance and deeper food security – and what do such things look like? These are among the topics that will be discussed.

There is so much that goes into a meal, besides the preparation on our part. As I mentioned in a previous post, in terms of creating a sustainable community, it is increasingly important not to rely on large corporation-run farms (agri-business) to genetically modify our produce, while using cheap labor to do the harvesting, then ship the product across the country (and sometimes world!) so that we can then make dinner. We often feel like we do not have a say in how this all goes down, but attending a conference like “Everybody Eats” gives us a chance to not only learn first hand about many of these issues, but educate ourselves on many other components of “food democracy.”

As the conference planners boast, this conference is not just for growers, restaurateurs, cooks, grocers, processors, distributors, emergency food providers, and institutional food preparers, but for interested citizens as well, because let’s face it, everybody eats. And because we all eat, we should all have a chance to be included in the process of where our food is coming from, how it is being farmed, and how that effects us- as individuals and as a community.

I encourage you all to join me the weekend of February 10th at this one of a kind conference! With a free keynote on Friday night and a $15 registration fee for the Saturday workshops- lunch included!-you are getting a lot for your money! Look to the details below and consider it!

Title: Everybody Eats: Cultivating Food Democracy

Date: Friday, February 10th-Saturday, February 11th, 2012.

Location: Pattengill Middle School, 626 Marshall St., Lansing, Michigan.

Registration: Friday’s keynote speaker, Katherine Kelly, founder and Executive Director of Cultivate Kansas City is free, Saturday’s workshops are $15, lunch included. Register online at: http://www.every-body-eats.com/ 

Some sessions include: “Local Fair Trade”, “Democratizing Drinks: Who Owns Our Beverages?”, “Finding Your Niche in Your Local Food System”, “Increasing inclusion in urban gardening”, “The 2012 Farm Bill and how it affects eaters and farmers alike”, and a yoga session from Belinda at Just B, with some ideas for how to tie that into the the greater food system.

I hope to see you there, #lovelansing!

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My dogs show more love every day than most people muster in a lifetime.  I was moved by the passion exhibited by these pet lovers, who make their mission to create a better life in Lansing for pets and owners alike. Don’t have a pet? Get one. Then read this.

1. Who are you? No, really who are you? Business-wise, personally… how do you see yourself in relation to the #lovelansing movement?

Business-wise and personally, we are, at our core, dog-lovers. Ann Andrews and I are both lawyers, with full time jobs outside of AnnaBelle’s, who started this business three years ago because we saw something missing in Downtown Lansing – dogs.

As busy lawyers who worked in downtown Lansing, we both wanted a place downtown to take our own dogs and, at the same time, we just wanted to see more people with dogs in the Downtown area.  To us, that is a sign of vibrancy and life that every city needs.  And, that is how the plan for AnnaBelle’s began to take shape in early 2007.

AnnaBelle’s has become a unique environment for dog people, it is not just day care, or training, or grooming. It’s more of a collective of like-minded people who care about the human-animal relationship. Our clients have become family, just like our staff and trainers. Most of our business is referral based and we think is because we are support and nurture relationships, internally and within the community.  To us, to #lovelansing means making an effort to support the Lansing community and helping make it a better place to live and work for everyone.

2. What is a “cool city dog?” What makes a city dog cool, in your eyes?

The concept of a cool city dog stemmed from the Michigan “cool cities” initiative. In our view, no city is truly “cool” unless you see people with dogs all over town.  So, we wanted to help bring a dog-friendly cool city atmosphere to Lansing not just by building our business, but by educating people about how they can have a well-behaved, well-socialized dog that they are proud to take with them anywhere and everywhere.

The number one reason dogs are surrendered to animal shelters is due to behavior problems.  Most of those problems are easily addressed with education and expert advice.  Part of AnnaBelle’s mission is to intervene in these situations before surrender seems like the only option by offering behavioral counseling, training classes, and doggie day care.  We have experts in all types of training and behavioral problems.  We also strongly encourage people to socialize their dogs by offering a dog activity group, where most of the activities are cheap to free, and we started a community website where people can find dog friendly places and activities in the Lansing area.

Some people seem to object to a place or community becoming “dog friendly” because a lot of people don’t have well-behaved dogs.  We want to help people have dogs who plainly overcome that objection. Through these efforts, we hope to help Lansing become a “dog cool” city, which is not just dog-friendly, it’s a community that has standards for animal behavior, animal care, and the human-animal bond.

3. You’re a social media monster… what are your thoughts on how social media has helped you, hindered you, connected you?

I love social media! Grrrrrrrr! But it’s a good monster.  It has helped us so much to connect with real people in the community about all kinds of issues – not just dogs.

I love to be a “goto” person on twitter for all matters dog related, but I’ve given recommendations on restaurants, shopping, and other cool stuff in town too.  And I make an effort to share that information and to connect people with common interests.  I love when I’m at AnnaBelle’s meeting a client for the first time and I pause and say….”Don’t I know you from Twitter?”  I already know how much they love their dog, along with some of the issues they might be having.

Facebook has really provided us with an easy way to readily communicate with our clients and provides a wonderful forum for clients to pose questions, post information, and for us to simply share what is happening at AnnaBelle’s, whether we’re having a big event or we want people to see fun video of the dogs playing with bubbles!  I don’t see social media as a hindrance, because I personally enjoy it.

4. Talk about your charitable work. You mentioned dog rescue, etc…

All of AnnaBelle’s – owners, trainers, staff, are involved in animal rescue work to some extent.  Some volunteer at the shelter, some teach classes for shelter dogs, others offer free or discounted behavior evaluations for shelter dogs. We also offer discounted classes for dog foster parents so they can help their foster dogs get adopted.

Our pet first aid instructor, Sheila Laing, offers free Pet CPR and Rescue Breathing courses for rescue and animal welfare groups.  Our lead trainer, Carol Hein-Creger, puts on a 2-3 hour Canine Problem Behavior Seminar every class term, which is open to the public and to rescue groups and shelters. We encourage people to come with their questions and problems!

Each of us do these small things that somehow add up to real money and real assistance to our local rescue groups and shelters.  Last year, we had a donation based Wash & Wear dog wash, where all proceeds (about $800) went to the Animal Placement Bureau and Voiceless-MI to help their rescue efforts.  People gave what they could for the washing services (anywhere from $5-$50) and also bought raffle tickets for the fun prizes we gave away.  This effort required amazing team work by our staff, along with Voiceless and APB volunteers.  It was such a hugely successful and fun event – we can’t wait to do it again this summer!

We did a similar event last Christmas with the MSU PRSSSA called Paws with Claus, where your pet got his or her picture taken with Santa.  All proceeds were split between the MSU PRSSA and the Ingham County Animal Control and Shelter. We raised almost $700, which we were very excited about.  We also attend and support events put on by local animal rescue and welfare groups.

We try to be a presence, donate prizes for raffles, and help them get what they need to have a smooth and successful event.  We want to tell people that yes, we’d love for you to be a client of AnnaBelle’s, but even if you’re not, we still care about the health and welfare of your canine friends and family.  See some specifics at: http://www.coolcitydogs.com/home/community-involvement. And, we encourage our clients and activity group members to attend these events, not just to support local animal welfare and rescue, but to take advantage of great dog socialization opportunities.

5. What do you want us to know? What message do you want to get out there?

Our primary message is simply our mission, which is “to make dog ownership easy, fun and fulfilling so that everyone who lives and works in the Lansing community has the opportunity to enjoy the health and family benefits of owning a dog.”  It is really as simple as this: We love dogs and we want everyone else to experience the love and joy of owning a dog too.

6. Aside from yours, what is your favorite community-focused business in Lansing?

Without question, Preuss Pets. Rick and Debbie Preuss have been in business in Lansing for a long time and have been through all the imaginable ups and downs of owning a business. They provide such an inspiration to the small business community. They also make such a huge effort in the community in Oldtown and beyond. We admire their work ethic and their community involvement very much and love to partner with them on activities and events.  Preuss Pets is expanding their dog-related product line all the time and they carry high-quality, affordable, and unique items, which we love to recommend to our clients.  We demonstrate many of their interactive dog toys during the Canine Problem Behavior Seminar offered by our lead trainer, Carol Hein-Creger, during every class term.

7. To you, who are the three people everyone needs to connect with? There can be more than three, but who do people need to know and why?

We just couldn’t figure out how to answer this because there are so many people who’ve helped us along the way with advice and so much more. And what we’ve learned is that sometimes the people you “need to know” to be successful actually surprise you and just somehow come into your life. We’ve had so many instances where some connection was made years ago or just last week and turns out to be so important to us.

For example, I took classes with Carol Hein-Creger for years before we decided to start AnnaBelle’s. I just called her up and said “we’re looking for a trainer, are you interested?” She sure was! With Carol, came Erinn Hadley, who was her assistant.  Erinn is now our conformation instructor and staff Team Leader.

Angie Falcsik, one of our other trainers, works part-time with Ann Andrews at her “day job” and that’s how she came to work with us at AnnaBelle’s. Another trainer, Dawn Archer Pizzoferrato came to us through a connection with Jan Szur, a local small business woman that we met through inForum.  Sheila Laing, our Pet First Aid instructor, came to an obedience class with Angie Falcsik as student – and they’ve know each other for 20 years! One thing led to another, and we now offer Pet First Aid classes with Sheila.  One of our day care staff, Erica Kaplan, moved here from Washington State with her boyfriend while he attended Cooley law school.

Just after we opened day care in January, 2010, she showed up and said “I want to work here.” We didn’t have a spot for her right then, but she decided to volunteer for a short while and now she’s a full-time employee.  These are just some examples how every day (and often random) connections have been so important for us.

We definitely believe in karma!

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You really are being watched.

At first, you might not even notice Rachael Zlomak Parker taking her typical wallflower role in the corner of the room. But if you find yourself amazed that your favorite song is on the radio once again on a another Saturday night out on the town, or if you find yourself smiling and tapping your toes to the beats being seamlessly integrated into your evening, then she’s already had a profound impact on your evening even though you never even noticed her.

“A DJs job is to read the crowd and try to make as many people stay in the bar as possible, and at somewhere like the Tavern, that’s not easy. There’s not a dance floor and crowd is very eclectic,” says Rachael, who DJs at Tavern on the Square every Saturday night. “When I see somebody I know walk in or somebody that I remember from another night and some song that they requested, I will try my best to play it immediately before they ask for it. And they totally perk up, smile and start dancing. That just completely makes my day.

“The most difficult thing in DJing is that you have to judge people by their appearance and try to guess what kind of music they would want to hear. And I’m wrong every single time. But that’s all that you have to go on at first. You know, in that split second when you have to choose another song to play and you look for very subtle reactions to whatever song you’re playing. If your first guess as to what they might want to hear is wrong, then you try a different genre but make sure that it mixes. It’s multi-tasking to nth degree. It’s fascinating and I love it.”

If it seems like Rachael has a lot of insight into DJing and a lot of experience, that’s because she does. But she didn’t earn her stripes initially in Lansing. Her first experience was in London.

Born and raised in Lansing in the Waverly School District, Rachael was your typical teenager in that she complained that there was nothing to do in her hometown and she couldn’t wait to escape to the big city. She wanted out so badly that she took college courses from Lansing Community College while still in school so that she could graduate early. After a couple of years, she transferred to Grand Valley State University, which did nothing to whet her big city appetite.

So after graduation when a good friend told her about an internship program in the United Kingdom intended for students finishing up college but requiring no classes to be taken while across the pond, it sounded like a great idea. What Rachael didn’t bargain for, though, was her friend bailing on the idea. After borrowing money from her Grandmother, trying to setup an internship and applying for the program, Rachel called up her friend to schedule their departure.

But she never called back.

“So I was kind of like, oh okay. Do I lose all this money and time from my application process and just back out, or do I go by myself?” recalls Rachael. “And I don’t know how I had the guts to do it, but I went by myself.”

The catch? Rachael did not yet have an internship lined up when she crossed the Atlantic. The competition was stiff because as part of the European Union, potential applicants from other members didn’t have hoops to jump through and had a leg up on applying for jobs.

Luckily, she did manage to find an internship. She landed a six-month contract for London South Bank University in a marketing and public relations position for a particular division that they managed called Local Economy Policy Unit. For those six months, Rachael was responsible for arranging seminars and events on topics such as public transportation.

The job was a great experience, but what Rachael really loved was living in the big city, which meant public transportation, museums and a vibrant music scene. Every little bar had its own DJ and Rachael couldn’t help but think, “Hey, I could do that!” So when she left her internship, her coworkers gave her the best going away present ever – enrollment in a course to learn how to DJ.

Learning how to DJ, however, wasn’t the only thing she brought back to the States. She also got engaged.

After a moving back to Lansing for a year and dating long distance, they got married in her mother’s back yard. A few days later, Rachael moved back to London with her new husband.

For five years.

But after a while, Lansing came calling. Rachael started feeling homesick for Michigan – partly because her family was there, partly because it was comfortable and familiar. She knew how to handle herself in pretty much any situation, compared to a foreign country where she was never completely comfortable and never completely understood how to conduct herself as an American working in a foreign country. It was a totally different ballgame.

So Rachael moved back to Lansing, but without her husband, or should I say ex-husband. She really wanted to come home and he really didn’t want to leave London, so they made a difficult decision.

“I moved home just a little over two years ago and I haven’t regretted one minute of it,” says Rachael. “It was a good experience. He was a great guy but it just didn’t work out. We’re too different.”

Back in Lansing, Rachael found something that she never expected; she didn’t miss the big city at all and really loved living in the town that she grew up in. It didn’t take long for her to meet John Beltran, local DJ and music producer extraordinaire, who took Rachael under his wing and helped refine her DJing skills. Pretty soon, she was filling in for his usual spot on Friday nights at Tavern on occasion, which in turn led to the establishment offering her the same gig on Saturday nights. You can also find her every second and fourth Friday on the fourth floor of the Big Old Building (B.O.B.) in Grand Rapids.

While Rachael loves her DJing life, that’s not all she’s found to love in Lansing. After a short stint at a marketing and public relations firm in Jackson while living in a loft downtown, Rachael struck career gold by landing a job at TechSmith – a global software firm based in Okemos. Now, she is the Global Public Relations Manager for the company and gets to, “work with lovely, lovely nerds, and I mean that in the most lovable, great way. Just super intelligent people. It’s a great company to work for and it’s challenging.”

Despite her former urge to move to the big city, Rachael isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. She bought a house a little ways north of Old Town. She helps take care of her family and enjoys a strong network of friends.

So what changed from her high school days to now?

“I wonder how I would I feel about Lansing if I didn’t get to DJ sometimes, because I’m absolutely obsessed with DJing,” says Rachael. “But I still think I would absolutely love Lansing. It’s because of the people I’ve met. And it’s funny, I feel somewhat hypocritical because I used to hate it here. I said that there was nothing to do and that it was so boring. And I feel it’s completely opposite now.

“It was very different 10 years ago and I still haven’t been able to figure out exactly what is different in my mind. I don’t know that I can honestly say that Lansing itself has changed, or if it’s the residents and the people that are involved in the community that have changed. It’s almost like a generational shift. And the crowd I see while DJing downtown is so eclectic.

“I get absolutely lost in DJing. How do I explain it? It’s my therapy. It’s my outlet. It’s my stress relief. It’s just a constant challenge. It’s a totally different kind of challenge. Like I can actually shut my brain off and just turn my ears on. That sounds so lame, but it’s using totally different senses then I use during my work week. So it’s just the best therapy ever. And I get to do awesome events, like I DJ all of the Derby Vixen home bouts and that’s so much fun. I got to DJ in an airplane hangar for Ignite Lansing. I’ve DJed live yoga sessions for Just B. And I love it when my friends come in. I get so much ridiculous levels of joy out of seeing my friends dance.

“I have no intention of leaving Lansing. I love it.”

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I want to talk about self-care and the importance of finding time for the practice in our daily routine, not just on vacation.

It is clear to many that taking time out of the every day routine and spending some serious “R&R” time in a sunny, warm environment, away from the hectic pace of the daily grind can bring about an overwhelming sense of calm; but how is it that one can make this calming sensation a part of that stressful “every day”? Why is it that we so often need to escape in order to find that inner peace?

A vacation allows us time to focus solely on ourselvses. We do not have the obligation to put others before ourselves as frequently as in every day life, thus allowing us the time to pursue our leisurely passions, interests and relax. Taking this time for ourselves brings about a sense of inner peace and calming that is hard to come by when we are running on empty- waking up early on far too little sleep, running out the door into a Michigan winter with wet hair that you didn’t have time to dry, rushing through traffic- only to be 15 minutes late to work, skipping lunch to get through your to-do list, grabbing a quick bite on the way to your after work appointment, heading from that appointment to two of the four events that evening on your calendar, then crawling into bed after consuming one too many cocktails at said events, only to set an alarm for six hours from now to do it all again. Sound familiar? I know I cannot be the only one who has become used to living a fast-paced lifestyle resembling some variation of the aforementioned activities. It can be full of fun, but also very stressful. I have had many weeks where I am running solely on coffee, yet still feel exhausted, lethargic and unaccomplished. Vacation was my time to re-set and fill my time with relaxing activities that nourish- mind, body and soul. I woke up feeling rested, did basic yoga in the sun, ate a leisurely breakfast of fruit and cereal, read for pleasure, took long walks, went shopping and got a de-toxifying, lavendar infused mud wrap. I felt spoiled. But I also felt completely rejuvenated and ready to head home and take life on with a newfound sense of energy and passion.

As I boarded my flight home from LAX to DTW, the flight attendant began her safety speil…you know the one. The speech where they talk about the importance of wearing your safety belt, explain how to put the belt on and off, highlight emergency exits and discuss oxygen masks. Well, it was during a portion of this routine speech that I had heard many times over, that it hit me. In order to always  approach life with a sense of peace, happiness and feel fully energized, we have to practice self-care.

Let’s break this down a bit more. It was this portion of the speech specifically that brought upon my realization:

In the event that the oxygen level in the main cabin becomes unstable, oxygen masks will drop in front of every passenger. Passengers are to take them, secure them to their heads using the elastic band and breathe through the masks normally. Passengers are instructed to make sure their masks are on first before assisting other passengers or children.

Of course one would not be helpful in assisting children to the best of their ability if they were unable to breathe themselves. Thus it is important to take care of yourself above all else, then expend your energy to help those around you. This concept works not only in case of emergency on a plane, but can be applied to our every day life as well. How are we supposed to make a difference in this world, if we are running on empty ourselves? I made a decision right then and there to take time for myself every single day upon my return to Lansing, allowing my body, mind and soul to rest, my spirit to feel uplifted and my productivity to sore. I realized I work best when I feel happy and well-rounded, not only does my productivity at work increase when I take time out every two hours or so to take a quick walk around the parking lot or make an actual meal in the work kitchen, but my passion and vigor for the work I do remains at a high. I feel less stressed and burnt out. I appreciate the time with those I care about in my social life more when I am feeling relaxed, and cut out the things I do out of a sense of obligation, while instead focusing my time and energy on the things I do because I want to truly be there.

I encourage you all to think about taking a bit more time for self-care in your daily routine and see how it will affect you:

• Wake up fifteen minutes earlier and allow yourself time to stretch and drink a cup of hot tea before starting the day.
• Visit Horrocks or the Lansing City Market to pick up some fresh food and pack a lunch to enjoy, rather than running out to whatever is nearest you and scarfing down a fast meal on a half hour lunch break.
• Pencil in some time to do what you love each day, whether it be reading a book, writing, painting, going for a run, playing with a pet, etc.
• Cut out events and/or appointments you feel obligated to attend, and spend that time doing what you want to do instead. It is much better to actually focus and enjoy your time somewhere with friends and family, than to make five quick appearances because you don’t want to disappoint anyone.
• Try out a basic yoga or guided meditation class at Just B or Hilltop Yoga. This is a guaranteed way to recharge and appreciate your body.
• Treat youself to a stress relieving treatment or massage from either Douglas J or Creative Wellness.
• Schedule a few minutes several times a day to just take a few deep breaths and consciously think of something you are grateful for at that exact moment, whether it be your health or if you are having one of those days, that you only spilled ONE cup of coffee down your new shirt.

Whatever it is you do to make yourself happy, remember to do it unabashedly. You are absolutely wonderful and deserve the very best.

“And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.” - Nelson Mandela

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I’ve heard people “poo poo” the project. These criticisms were mostly in the Lansing State Journal news comments, where niceties and reason go to die. This project brings excitement and revitalization to a neighborhood that needs just that. This amazing group of community-minded individuals turned an abandoned bakery into a hub of creative and intellectual activity. Points of interest include; the home base one of Lansing’s photographic gems, a building company that seems as focused on revitalization and pushing the city forward in a sustainable manner as it does about the bottom line, and bright open spaces for co-working and creative outlet as well as networking and support services for tenants past and present.

The founding members who were willing to take a huge chance to bring this project to fruition, I thank you. May your risk be a rich reward to the city of Lansing and those who love it.

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As we approach the holiday season, there is a sudden hum of anticipation amongst shoppers getting presents for gift exchanges, people planning visits to see their families and friends, and right about now we start anticipating the embrace of a new year. Breaking form the norm, this upcoming weekend,  65 Lansing residents will spend most of their Saturday volunteering their time to give back to the community. A few incredible community volunteers have come together to organize one of my favorite Lansing events; HELP Portrait.

Help Portrait was founded by Jeremy Cowart, a revolutionary Nashville photographer. The project is based on the idea that pictures are for giving. Even with the omnipresence of the digital camera in our day-to-day lives, many people never get the opportunity to have professional photographs of themselves and their families.

These portraits are not for your portfolio, website, or for sale. Money isn’t involved here. This holiday season, you have the chance to give a family something they may have never had before—a portrait together.  -Jeremy Cowart

Help Portrait transcends the question, “May I take your picture?” to  ”May I take your picture in a studio, edit it, print it, frame it, and give it to you for free?”. This idea has created a worldwide community of photographers and volunteers working towards a goal to give people free high-quality pictures.

In the last two years Help Portrait has grown to:

• 10,574 photographers
• 12,654 volunteers
• 1,062 locations
• 54 countries
• 101,596 portraits given

I am  ecstatic to be a part of this event and even happier to know that Lansing, MI is on the Help Portrait map. As many of my friends know, my camera is always by my side. Whenever I am not at my day-job, I am thinking of lighting and composition. I couldn’t be happier partaking in one of my favorite activites while giving back to the community. Along with 14 other incredible photographers and ~ 50 volunteers, I will be at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church this weekend. I can’t wait to meet the people of our beautiful city and to capture gleaming smiles on my camera.

If you are not busy this weekend, be sure to pay us a visit. Also, look forward to an update from the Lansing Collective after the event.

much love.

Event Details

St. Pauls Episcopal Church 
218 W. Ottawa Street
Lansing, Saturday

Help Portrait
December 10th from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m

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Who are you interviewing, Lansing Collective?

Here’s a hint: Yep. We’ll be talking to a very special someone, whose name starts with B, with a big spirit and a penchant for community action, mind-body fitness and philanthropy. Stay tuned next week! Can’t wait until next week? Join me for some Thanksgiving Day yoga and get to know the force behind Just B well before the article is published.

BOOM! Flexed.

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Purchasing power is huge.

Buying items, for oneself, or for others as we spread the joy of the holidays and search out that perfect gift to bring a smile to a loved one’s face, is more than just dropping a few bucks here or there. It is an investment and a show of support for the type of economy we want to thrive. Where we decide to spend our money is one of the most significant ways we can build up an economy and create the type of society we want to live in.

For example, buying local can mean a lot of things for Lansing, such as:

1.) Reducing the economic impact on our Mother Earth. By purchasing from local businesses, we get rid of the need to transport items around the world to get into our hands. Even if you are picking up an item from your “local” big business, such as Walmart, it has had to travel across the world to get into that store. Not to mention, big businesses are a main factor in pollution, loss of habitat, and sprawl.

2.) Buying local helps to keep our community unique. One of the best things about Lansing is our assortment of absolutely wonderful local boutiques, bakeries and restaurants. I know that when I entertain out of town friends and family, the first thing I do is take them to The Soup Spoon Cafe and other local diners. If we are not providing these types of amazing businesses the income they need to sustain, we will lose them, and our beloved city will be overun with generic strip malls.

3.) Putting our money into the local economy helps us fight corporate greed and

Image from "The Story of Stuff"

media ownership of our beliefs, values and persepctives. Now, this argument could be an entire post within itself, but let’s take a minute to discuss this. We live in a society where advertising and media are bombarding us with unrealistic images and goals (think standards of beauty and violence for starters…) and working to make us constantly feel inadequete so that we buy more stuff. This constant desire to need more things is exemplified nicely in this 20 minute animated film called “The Story of Stuff” (which I strongly urge you all to take the time to watch!) but while it makes us worse off in terms of lack of personal capitol and polluted environment, it makes big corporations better off. They can then afford to buy more land, build more generic stores, and ship in more products made overseas where they pay employees less than a living wage, then overcharge us, so that they can keep the profit and hence, the rich fat cats get richer.

While I am well aware that these arguments seem simplified, and we could delve much futher into each of them, these three points are my basis for encouraging all of you to buy local for the holidays!

And in order to not just “talk the talk”, but “walk the walk” as well, I have decided to purchase the majority of my holiday gifts for friends and family this year from local Lansing businesses and etsy artists. Plus! I am going to share a few local gift ideas from Lansing businesses with the hope that you too, will share some local gift ideas. This way, we can get great ideas from one another of creative and unique ways to find the perfect gift this holiday season, yet do so while fighting the corporate powers and supporting our friends and their businesses here in the city!

Some great stocking stuffer and gift ideas:

1.) Gift cards! Gift cards from our local restaurants and coffee shops can make a perfect stocking stuffer. I suggest purchasing a to-go coffee mug from a local coffee shop, such as Deckers or Gone Wired Cafe, and sticking a gift card to that same establishment in the mug with a bow!

2.) Cravings Popcorn and individual sodas! Who would not love to pull out a package of delicious popcorn and a soda to go along with it? This can make for a great holiday time treat. Try packaging this with a dvd or a gift card to Video to Go, located in Frandor, for a “Night In Gift Basket” to encourage time spent with loved ones on a cold night.

3.) Michigan made salsas, pancake mixes, chocolate covered cherries and wine from Michigania!

4.) Bath and Body products from the lovely, organic, local shop Soulful Earth Herbals! I know I have the Earth Butter on the top of my wish list!

5.) Gift your loved ones books from Everybody Reads! I can not get enough of this wonderful local book shop and happen to think that a book is one of the best gifts you can give. Whether it is one of your favorites to share, or that new release you know your loved one has been waiting to get their hands on, encourage someone to get lost in a great book and they will forever be thankful. Think about combining a great read with a cute robe or pjs from one of the local boutiques around town or some bubble bath and tea!

6.) Wine and Cheese basket! Stop by the City Market and stock up on some of the amazing breads, cheeses and locally made wines to create a classy gift basket. I made one last year and it was a huge hit! (Right, Dad?!)

7.) For the fashion-forward people in your life, swing into Grace Boutique or October Moon! These boutiques, along with Katalyst and many others, offer some great handbags, clothing, accessories and decor.

8.) Take someone out for a night on the town! Plan a night out to visit a great, local

A lovely, holiday evening spent at the DIA a few years back!

restaurant or bring someone to an art gallery or museum. Some of my favorite gifts have been “experiences”, such as a trip to wander through the beautiful exhibits at the  DIA and

go ice skating at Campus Martius Park in downtown Detroit, or catch a show at the Wharton Center on the campus of MSU!

What are some other great, local, gift ideas, Lansing?! Do you have any other reasons you will choose to buy local this holiday season? Please share with me in the comments section!

Happy Holidays, all!

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Moving to a new location has led to many revelations for me, but the biggest being the realization that neighborhoods can offer a sense of community that can make the greater Lansing community not only a safer place for us all, but a happier place as well.

Let me go back a bit and refer to a NPR story I heard a few months ago on the Averill Woods Neighborhood Association. This Association was featured on the “What’s Working” segment of the NPR radio show, in which “Michigan Radio has been spotlighting people and organizations that are trying to improve life in Michigan.”

One of my favorite Michigan Radio segements.

As I was driving to work a few months back, coffee in hand and NPR on the radio, a particular “What’s Working” segment came on air and it most definitely caught my attention. (These segments are always a highlight for me since this optimistic gal loves to take a break from the negativity of the current state of national and international affairs in the news, and become uplifted with brief segments of people and/or organizations doing some good!) This particular segment on the Association is described as follows, “In 2004, residents of the Averill Woods neighborhood in Lansing started an association. Their goal was, in part, to promote a positive quality of life, to help neighbors connect with each other, and to improve safety.”

This got me to thinking… I had been living in the same apartment for approximately one year at this point, and had yet to meet more than one pair of neighbors. It had not struck me as weird, however, because this was something I had grown quite accustomed to over the years. For the most part, I feel like we live next to people, sometimes totally amazing people, yet we don’t know who they are. It has become a part of our lifestyle to keep to ourselves and do our own thing, mind our own business if you will, but that leads to a lack of community.

There was one time in my last place of residence, when we had a piercing fire alarm go off late afternoon. This was a false alarm, however, the shrillness of this alarm was enough to make you run out of the building and head to the parking lot. This was twelve months into living there and was the very first time I met many of my neighbors. And it was a shame. It shouldn’t take a fire alarm to get you out of your home and talking with the people you share a hallway, or street with. Knowing your neighbors gives one a sense of accountability. You become a part of something bigger than just you, and feel the need to make the place you live better. Not just for you, but for the people you have connected with.

It was clear that just living next door to people is not what creates a neighborhood, but what was it that does? And in a state of terrible economic times in the city, how can we create neighborhoods?

This is when I turn to the Averill Woods Neighborhood Association for insight.

2009 Averill Woods Neighborhood Association Woods Clean-up

This group of individuals realized that they are not powerless in creating a sense of community within their neighborhood, just because the city is unable to do it for them. They took things into their own hands and devised a method of “environmental design” to bring their neighbors out of the woodwork and into the “neighborhood”, while at the same time increasing the safety of their streets and a sense of pride in their “‘hood”. This was done by creating ownership of their neighborhood by cleaning up the abandoned areas. The group came together to vamp up the playground, clean up the nature trails, and build a community garden. These areas drew people in, from both inside their neighborhood, as well as others in the Lansing area, and that in turn creates a type of “natural surveillence” of their streets. People are out and about, they know one another, hence crime is less likely to happen. Not many people can get away with crime when the vacant spaces are no longer vacant, and people are out on the streets, enjoying the renovated space. And the individuals who are a part of this community now feel a sense of pride for what they are a part of, they want to keep it up, keep the streets safe and continue to build relationships with those they share a “home” with.

This seems like such a simple concept, yet it is something I feel we are lacking in many of the neighborhoods of Lansing. I would love to see our “neighborhoods” of Lansing truly become communities within themselves- have people who happen to live in the same area get to know one another and become true neighbors. And it starts with each of us.

I love tea! And company! Come on by and say hello!

I challenge you to get to know your neighbors this week. Introduce yourself. Strike up a conversation. I bet that once you do, you will feel more comfortable in your community space. And I also bet you will start to realize little things we can all do to make it a better place for us all, whether it be to call the cops if you see someone who is not your neighbor hanging suspiciously around a neighbor’s house (and you will know it is not the owner, because you will have taken the time to learn who it is that is living in your community!) or just say a simple “hello” that could potentially make someone’s day.

So go ahead, Lansing, let’s build up our community one neighborhood at a time! And if you happen to live on the east side, come on over for some tea on my front porch, I’d love the neighborly company!

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After being gone for a week, I immediately went to Hilltop and embarked on a 2 hour guided meditation class with studio owner, Hilaire Lockwood. I’d been sitting in my car for the last four hours, but I didn’t mind sitting for another two. She guided me through beaches, the road less traveled, my family history, and dedication. I smiled, I cried, I felt grateful for everything in my life.

Next, I bicycled back home along the river trail, taking in the sight of the fallen leaves, kids throwing rocks into the river and neighbors walking their dogs. 

I make it home, say ‘what up’ to my cats, unpack my suitcase for the 4^th time this month, enjoy a glass of mango orange juice with my housemate and then off to a friend’s house to make fajitas, catch up and have a group study date.

It feels so good to be home because I feel the love in this city.

As I travel the eastern seaboard, sometimes thinking I’m missing out on what the rest of the world may have to offer, I realize that every time I come home from weeks of travel, I’m always back where I need to be.

Even though I’m here for less than a week before my next adventure, I’m excited that my days are already filled with a birthday celebration at the local Irish pub, a visit to my favorite local bicycle shop, Spin Cycles, a meal at the new local artisan diner, A Fork in the Road, teaching yoga to the sunrise at Just B Yoga and a yoga asana practice to live music with artist Girish at Hilltop.

Thank you Lansing for everything you have given me over the last year. Taking me in, providing me the opportunity to make a home here, and having me feel proud to call this place my home, no matter what metropolitan I may find myself in. 

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If this quote sounds familiar to you, then you’ve probably been around me in the past couple of months.  If not, then let me give you some back-story.  Two months ago, I suffered a knee injury, tearing ligaments in my right knee.  It’s been an uncomfortable two months, wherein I was desperate to get out of the house and interact with other people, but also been extremely uncomfortable whenever I did so.  Car rides were miserable. Especially because I’m a better driver than everyone else and haven’t been able to drive for two months.

Yet whenever people asked me how I was doing, I’d answer with “Worse things have happened.”  I knew that my injury was going to be a minor inconvenience in the grand scheme of things.  I knew that people have suffered far worse injuries than I have, or suffered far greater loses than loss of mobility in one leg.  I also knew that people didn’t want to hear me say “I’m f***ing miserable. I’m tired of sleeping on the couch.  I hate not being able to carry my own dishes to and from the kitchen. I hate that going to the bathroom is an exhausting ordeal.”  Yet, those were all real thoughts that went through my head.

I also hated the fact that my friend Thomas, who felt responsible for the injury, felt so torn up about the event that caused the ligament tears.  (A bit of advice for all of you: Don’t wrestle people who know Judo if you do not know Judo.)  He tried to pay for my emergency room visit. We refused, and not just because I’m lucky enough to have a wife who is a nurse which offers us excellent insurance benefits.  He insisted on other ways to “make it up” to me.  However, he did nothing wrong, and I refused.  He did state that he was going to buy me a “s**t load of beer” at a recent beard and moustache competition we were both in attendance at.  I relented, because I knew he was going to keep offering things, and I happen to really, really like beer.

Throughout this whole ordeal though, I’ve been humbled by the generosity of my friends, as well as strangers.  I’ve been offered the most comfortable chairs in the house.  Doors have magically opened for me everywhere I’ve gone.  People who may have normally avoided gentlemen with giant beards have offered their empathy and shared stories of similar injuries.  My friends Ian and Kate purchased two fanny packs for me to cart around my various snacks, drinks, and a bottle of Tylenol 3.  It is the most hilarious, yet practical, gifts I’ve ever received.  And my wife, Kate (different from my friend Kate mentioned above, but also my friend…my best friend in fact) has done the best she can hiding her disgust with my insistence on doing things for myself that I had no business doing for myself while on crutches.

But now, I’m off crutches, and have graduated to a cane.  And not just any cane, but one built by Jack L. Smith, Jr., SSG (Staff Sergeant) – U.S. Army,  a man I’ve never met.  On April 26, 1989, Jack was killed during a training exercise for the Persian Gulf War.  While I never had the chance to meet Jack, he has had a profound impact on my life, more so than most.

You see, Jack is my wife’s dad.  He helped raise her, helped shaped her world view, and is largely responsible for who she has become today.  And who she is today is someone who is not only beautiful, but fiercely intelligent, hilarious, kindhearted, generous, incredibly stubborn, and my best friend.  She is my favorite.

Using Jack’s cane offers me a connection to him.  And as he is, in a large part, responsible for who I am today, it makes me smile to know that even though I’ll never get a chance to meet him, that he is helping hold me up today.  And I never would have been able to connect to Jack in this way if I hadn’t injured my knee.

You see, it’s all about perspective.  When life gives you a lemon, make Cran-Apple Juice.

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The SlutWalk movement was born this past Spring in Toronto, Canada after a police officer told a group of college women that if they hoped to escape sexual assault, they should avoid dressing like “sluts.” An angry group of young men and women took to the streets to rally around an end to victim-blaming, many dressed in bras, corsettes and other attire that our culture perceives to be “slutty” or “suggestive”. (To be fair, there are also many protestors who take to the streets in jeans and hoodies.) While these invidividuals march, they demand an end to blaming the victim for their assault, while hoping to strip the world “slut” of its misogynist sting and reclaim female sexual power. This grassroots movement has spread from Toronto to over 70 cities worldwide, with activisits turning to social media to organize.

To start, I think it is great to see so many young activists rallying around such an important cause. We live in a world where women are blamed for their own assault. (I am using gendered language here, because in most instances, victims of sexual assault are female and perpetrators are male. I recognize that this is not always the case, yet, for the sake of writing, I plan to use these pronouns.)  We are taught that conforming to a standard of beauty that is unattainable for most is advantageous, yet when one looks or acts sexy, they are “asking for it.” In our world, “no means no and yes means yes”, unless the woman is “playing hard to get.” Or really wants it and just doesn’t know it yet. Or has had an alcoholic beverage…or two…or three. Or is wearing a revealing outfit. Or let her partner get to first base…or second… or third.

Okay, you get the point.

There always seems to be a “gray area” when discussing a sexual assault, when in reality the question asked should be did the victim consent? No? Then it is sexual assault. Regardless of anything else. End of story.

This group of feminists is angry. And they damn well should be.

While taking to the streets may not be creating policy change, it is most definitely creating social change in my opinion. According to Samhita Mukhopadyay, Executive Editor of Feministing, an onling feminist blog,

“Sometimes the purpose of activism is in the theatre, in the noise and in the exaggeration….Women marching around in “slutty” outfits (when they do, I have heard they don’t completely and the point is really about wearing what you want) yelling about injustice is in a way a type of mockery of conventional ideas about sexuality that is wholly refreshing. For many a young woman, a Slutwalk could be the gateway drug to other feminist thought and activism and we can’t deny the power and importance of this.” (quote taken from this article)

SlutWalks are shedding light on an important issue and getting conversation started. Many young men and women are plugging themselves into the movement to end sexual assault and stop victim blaming and could very well become more invested in the movement after participating in a SlutWalk. Grassroots organizing is taking place on a whole new level, incorporating virtual organizing as well as taking to the streets to reclaim sexual power. While it is true that we most definitely need more mainstream approaches to end violence against women, I think Emily May, Executive Director of Hollaback, an organization dedicated to ending street harrassment, highlights the significance of grassroots movements like SlutWalk when she says,

“Nonprofit mainstays like conferences, funding and strategic planning are essential to maintaining change — but they don’t ignite change,” she says. “It’s easy to forget that change starts with anger, and that history has always been made by badasses.” (quote taken from this article)

So yes, the SlutWalk movement is filled with angry badasses, but I am not naiive enough to say that this is an all encompassing, feminist movement.

For many, the word “slut” is something that does not ressonate with them. Slut is a word that is associated with white women, and women of color are often more affected by other misogynistic terms, like “hoe.” Not to mention, for some the importance of dignity in public is unquestionable, and associating with a movement that encourages one to protest in scantily clad attire if they so choose, is just not a movement some women can take part in. I think this piece from the Huffington Post, which is an open letter from black women to SlutWalk organizers, puts it best when it declares,

“We know the SlutWalk is a call to action and we have heard you. Yet we struggle with the decision to answer this call by joining with or supporting something that even in name exemplifies the ways in which mainstream women’s movements have repeatedly excluded Black women even in spaces where our participation is most critical.” (quote taken from this article)

So, I am curious, Lansing- what do you think of the SlutWalk movement? Will you be participating tomorrow?

If so, the march will get started at The Rock, located on Farm Lane on the campus of Michigan State University from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. The march will continue on the the MSU Union.

Whether you agree with the movement or not, I think the idea behind SlutWalks is one to get on board with and am proud to see so many young feminists rallying around such an important message.

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My soul told me that I had to produce a beautiful, respectful art show that “celebrated” people with flesh decorations.  My soul told me that the goal had to be to improve the definition of the human family, to bring people together, to create new support groups, to make new friends, to improve understanding that would make first contact more loving.

These words are taken from Suellen Hozman about her latest photography exhibit at Art Alley in Lansing, MI. I had the pleasure of attending the opening ceremony two weeks ago and I left it in absolute awe of her work. Suellen is a Lansingite and a sweetheart with a loving personality. She is among the dying breed of photographers who are still shooting and developing film. I met her a year and a half ago at a lecture and I was immediately drawn to her way of making people feel comfortable. Suellen takes truly stunning and captivating portraits, and uses available light to capture her subject. The people she photographs seem incredibly at ease in front of her lens; however, this comes as no surprise since Suellen’s bubbly personality is the perfect ingredient for making insta-friends.

The Fleshtones exhibition is a perfect example at how skillfully Suellen is able to capture her subject’s personality. Her portraits are engaging and tell stories beyond what words can describe. This photography exhibit is a celebration of our flesh and how each of us live in our skin in unique ways. Each image in this show is a portrait of someone with skin decorations ranging from beards, wrinkles and tattoos to aleopecia and albinism.

The show is especially interesting because these portraits are accompanied by autobiographical profiles of each of the subjects about their life experiences in their flesh. Suellen told me that this is the subjects’ exhibit as much as it is hers. Each of these profiles are presented adjacent to the respective portraits and each subject use used their raw, unedited voice to describe what their flesh means to them.

Suellen hopes that this exhibit will give the audience a glimpse beyond a person’s skin. Almost everyone in the exhibit had gone through a transition when they abandoned influence by societal norms regarding what they should look like. This exhibit was a reawakening about our visually-centric judgements for people we see.

I highly recommend visiting this local exhibit. I feel fortunate to have visionaries like Suellen in Lansing and the luxury to see exhibitions like this just a few blocks from Downtown Lansing. The exhibit will be running until October 12 and the gallery can set up viewing times by appointment.

NOTE: Suellen has is very respectful of people she photgrahs. She has asked that we also respect these digital versions of her image and not copy them.

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I hate to admit it, but it’s true—Lansing has not felt like home sweet home until recently. Not until Sunday June 13^th to be exact. So why did I wait until late August to tell you about it? And why have I been writing about loving Lansing on the Lansing Collective if I didn’t truly and genuinely love Lansing until two months ago? Well, for two reasons: 1) I have been in an intensive 8 week yoga teacher training for the last two months, and 2) I was ‘loving’ Lansing because I knew my time here was temporary. The former has made an impact on the latter.

Hilltop’s 200 hour yoga teacher training program was the medium through which I realized that I truly and genuinely LOVE Lansing. For 8 weeks I spent every Friday from 5-10pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 7am-5pm with a group of 9 other people, all of which were Lansing residents at some point in their life, to dig deeper into yoga philosophy, and thus, dig deeper into ourselves and our lives beyond the yoga mat. You wouldn’t think that yoga teacher training would have such a therapeutic element to it, and most people have asked me ‘why’ that is after the fact, but I assure you, yoga is not yoga, unless you are truly in it. That is how I came to realize that unless I stopped thinking of living in Lansing as temporary, I could never fall in love with being here.   

My Amazing Lansing Family

It was the Sunday of our first weekend in training. The sun was creeping through the windows of the beautiful Old Town studio as I sat with everyone who had decided to dedicate the next 8 weeks of their lives to this practice. I realized in that moment, that whatever it was that I didn’t like about Lansing did not matter. What mattered was that I lived in a community that took me in when I needed a place to be and that I had the opportunities to be heard and make it home. I have everything I need, but never knew I wanted– I have amazing friends and neighbors. I live in a beautiful home that is incredibly affordable. The river trail allows me to ride my bike to work in under 20 minutes. I can eat locally from several food trucks right outside my work every week. I get paid a living wage to advocate for a better life for all Michigan residents. And I can walk to the river, the local ice cream shop, the barber, a donation-based yoga studio, the Michigan Brewing Company and the City Market all in under a half an hour. The list goes on, but sometimes I forget, and yoga helps me remember that I am here and not somewhere else, for a reason.

The 619 Household

Yoga means ‘yoke’ or union. Yoga is different for everyone, but fundamentally, it’s about coming back to a place we have already been, to remember what we already know, and to ultimately find ourselves again. It’s easy to forget how distracted we can become and how lost we can feel within our own thoughts at times.

So yoga not only helped me find home, it helped me…well, find me. Now, I can truly say that I love Lansing.

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The event turnout was great and there were stellar beats being dropped by DJ Rachael and Jake Pechtel, plus absolutely delicious celebratory treats provided by Bake ‘n Cakes and The Purple Carrot Truck and great shots being taken by the one and only Khalid Ibrahim!

We at the LC are so thankful for everyone who came out to celebrate, our amazing sponsors for donating entertainment and treats, and all of our readers/support base for helping us do what we do and shed light on the city that we love! We have had one fantastic year! Keep on reading and we can guarantee bigger and better things to come!

Enjoy some pictures from the event and keep it real, Lansing!

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