517 Magazine May 2022 Issue

517 B U S I N E S S

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SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!

Local artist finds inspiration in entryways

HERITAGE HALL COMES TO LIFE New facility at Capitol to open soon

L I F E

‘A LIFESTYLE

SHOP’ BRADLY’S HG LOOKS TO BE A MODERN TRADING POST IN OLD TOWN PLUS

HOLDING A SUCCESSFUL GARAGE SALE May 2022

Professional highlights from the region and more!

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publisher’s note

517mag.com

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At Long Last, a Celebration of Spring

s it me or are Michigan’s winters getting more unwieldy with each passing year?

I did find myself becoming slightly more irritated than expected when I awoke to snowfall in early April. I’m not exactly a winter outdoor enthusiast, so — in fact— it might just be me. However, I’ve always preferred the warm-weather months of outdoor gatherings, less cumbersome and clunky clothing, the gentle crispness of the air, and not having to tack on an extra 15 minutes to every outing to warm up the car.

In a way, it seems like things take a more leisurely pace in the spring, but that might simply be the absence of steeling yourself for the harried rush from the house to the car and then the encore scramble from the car back to the safety and warmth of an indoor space.

There’s a freshness to everything when spring finally rolls around. Things take on a softer hue as the harsh starkness of the cold subsides. The world starts waking up in shades of green and pops of pastels, and we all start waking up right along with it and reacclimating to the outdoors for a cluster of weeks before the truly unrelenting heat of the summer months sets in.

A certain catharsis comes with spring as we reemerge from hibernation and acquaint ourselves with the outdoor world by tending to our homes, plotting out our gardening plans and reintroducing ourselves to nature. Neighborhoods come back to life with people puttering about in yards and busying themselves with the new tasks that come with a new season. Who knows, maybe you forgot you even had neighbors for a minute.

We’re commemorating spring’s long-awaited arrival in this month’s home and garden issue of 517 Magazine. Inside you’ll find tips and tidbits about a few of the many happenings taking shape across the Greater Lansing region — and hopefully you’ll also find a bit of inspiration on topics that are likely on your mind at this time of year as the garden centers reopen and local farmers markets begin their bustle.

It’s been a long winter, and it’s finally time to celebrate the dawn of our annual rebirth and rejuvenation.

I hope to see you out there.

Tiffany Dowling Publisher

517 Business and Life, Volume 4, Issue 4, May 2022.

Publisher Tiffany Dowling tiffany@m3group.biz

517 Business and Life (USPS#020-807) is published monthly by M3 Group at 221 W. Saginaw St., Lansing, MI 48933. Periodicals postage paid at Lansing, Michigan.

Managing Editor Mary Gajda mary@m3group.biz

Subscriptions: Subscriptions are available at $22 per year for postage and handling or $38 for two years. Call (517) 203-3333 or visit 517mag.com to subscribe.

Postmaster: Send address changes to 517 Business and Life, 221 W. Saginaw St., Lansing, MI 48933. Copyright @2022. 517 Business and Life. All rights reserved.

Editorial office: 221 W. Saginaw St., Lansing, MI 48933.

517mag.com

Our April edition of 517 Magazine’s notable news section incorrectly identified Dr. Michael Racine as Dr. Michael Kent on a photo caption. We regret the error.

Dr. Michael Racine recently became chief of staff of Sparrow Carson Hospital.

Letters must be signed and include the writer’s name and address. Please send to: 517 Magazine, 221 W. Saginaw St., Lansing, MI 48933, or email info@517mag.com.

517

Lead Editor Christopher Nagy Contributors Rich Adams Teece Aronin Susan Combs Kyle Dowling Amanda Fischer Mary Gajda Rich Keener Christine MacIntyre Metro Melik Christopher Nagy Omar Sofradzija Graphic Designers Kathryn Aspin Audrey Spring Client Strategists Megan Fleming megan@m3group.biz Liz Reno-Hayes liz@m3group.biz Melissa DeMott melissa@m3group.biz

we want to hear from you!

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Creative Visionary Chad Hussle chad@m3group.biz

Photographers Kathryn Aspin Kyle Dowling Metro Melik Audrey Spring M3 Group 221 W. Saginaw St. Lansing, MI 48933 P (517) 203-3333 Subscription subscribe@517mag.com

Thank You Hourani Family!

Providing world-class health care in our community is an extremely important thing to us. We want everyone to receive the best care possible. That’s why we both went into healthcare in the first place. And it’s why we choose to support McLaren Greater Lansing Foundation. McLaren Greater Lansing provides much needed care for those in our community and the Foundation is able to enhance that care. We believe very strongly in supporting our community and our gift will help bring that world-class care to mid-Michigan.

- Dr. Michael Hourani

McLaren Greater Lansing Foundation is pleased to thank Dr. Michael and Jane Hourani for their generous gift to the Campaign for Care. Supporting the work the Foundation does is a great way to take care of your neighbors, your friends, your community. To learn more about the difference you can make visit mclarenloveslansing.org.

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contents

May2022

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A Lifestyle Shop

Shut the Front Door!

Bradly’s HG looks to be a modern trading post in Old Town

Local artist finds inspiration in entryways

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contents

lifestyle

business 11

AREA SNAPSHOT

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PLACES

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TRENDS

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GOOD READS

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NOTABLE NEWS

RECIPE

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STATE/NATIONAL

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HOME HELPERS

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ON THE RECORD

POLL

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PERSPECTIVES

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BIZ TIPS

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NONPROFIT

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PLAY

A Snapshot of Local Business News Affecting the 517 Digging into Home Gardening Professional Highlights from the 517 Region A Brief Look at State and National News Affecting our Region License to Build

A Spotless Record

Cultivating Creativity

DEPARTMENTS

2 PUBLISHER’S NOTE 52

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WRAP UP

Digging into Vintage Junkies Popular REO Town business feels like home Why Coffee Table Books are a Thing The psychology behind the items and a few popular picks Zesty Radish and Chive Sandwiches Out with the Old How to hold a successful garage sale Best of the 517 Home and garden McLaren Loves Lansing … and Its Donors Health care foundation runs with community support Visit 517living.com for More Lansing-Area Activities

AN EVENING OF BUILDING BRIGHTER FUTURES FOR MICHIGAN’S KIDS The 20th annual Pam Posthumus Signature Auction Event

MAY 17, 2022

MSU BRESLIN CENTER EAST LANSING

5:00 P.M.

EMPOWERING MICHIGAN’S KIDS STARTS WITH ALL OF US. Join the Children’s Trust Fund for an evening that will brighten the futures of children throughout Michigan. Enjoy great music, sparkling conversation, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and lively bidding on a wide range of premium auction items.

YOUR ACTIONS TODAY BRING HOPE FOR TOMORROW To purchase tickets, pre-register, and preview live and silent auction items, visit https://ctfauction.cbo.io

NEED H I R I N G HELP? NEED H I R I N G HELP? NEED H I R I N G HELP? NEED H I R I N G HELP? NEED H I R I N G HELP? NEED H I R I N G HELP? NEED HIRING NEED H I R I N G HELP? HELP? NEED H I R I N G HELP? NEED H I R I N G HELP? NEED H I R I N G HELP? NEED H I R I N G HELP CONNECTING WITH BUSINESS. STRENGTHENING OUR WORKFORCE. camw.org

1-800-285-WORK

Capital Area Michigan Works! is a proud partner of the American Job Center network. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, this piece will be made available in an alternative format upon request to Capital Area Michigan Works! Relay Center. Call 711 or 844-578-6563 (Voice and TDD). Funding for Capital Area Michigan Works! is received in part from the U.S. Department of Labor and the State of Michigan. An Equal Opportunity Employer/Center.

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AREA SNAPSHOT p.11 TRENDS p.17 NOTABLE NEWS p.18 STATE/NATIONAL p.24 ON THE RECORD p.28 PERSPECTIVES p.29 BIZ TIPS p.30

HYACINTH HOUSE HAPPINESS Lansing icon Hyacinth House has been in business since 1975 but has recently found new ownership.

Cliff McClumpha purchased the flower shop and greenhouse from Jim Schmidt and Dave Goodman in February, but he is not new to Hyacinth. He’s been part of the team for quite some time, having worked there 14 years.

McClumpha and team will carry on the mission of #HyacinthHouseHappiness and continue in its growth, pun fully intended, by remaining a destination for plant enthusiasts and floral customers.

Hyacinth House is currently giving back to the community by adopting Potter Park Zoo’s main plaza entrance and gardens.

Hyacinth House is at 1800 S. Pennsylvania Ave. in Lansing, and you can follow the business on Instagram and Facebook @Hyacinth.House.Greenery.

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JOIN US FOR CONNECTIONS AND COFFEE PRESENTED BY 517 MAGAZINE & M3 GROUP

Be an active member of Greater Lansing’s dynamic business community.

Enjoy pastries, coffee, networking and a five- to ten-minute open-mic session including a word from our sponsor along with a chance for attendees to introduce themselves and share any news about their business. Meet people from diverse industries to add to your network, reconnect with friends and find local resources. Bring plenty of business cards!

RSVP to Zdowling@m3group.biz

business / AREA SNAPSHOT

A snapshot of local business news affecting the 517 HERITAGE HALL COMES TO LIFE

BY RICH KEENER

When the Michigan Capitol restoration project was completed in 1992, the Capitol was named a National Historic Landmark, and architect Richard Frank received the prestigious American Institute of Architects Michigan Gold Medal for his work on the restoration.

Soon after, Frank put together a master plan for an underground facility at the Capitol to supplement its activities and operations. The project, which also included an underground parking lot, was deemed cost prohibitive. Fast forward about 25 years to 2017, and Michigan State Capitol Commission Executive Director Rob Blackshaw and others were thinking once again about the possibilities for such a facility.

“This project came back to life without the parking supplement — which made it more cost effective,” Blackshaw said. “And it accomplishes the goals and the needs of what the Capitol Commission wanted to do to support the Legislature.”

The 40,000-square-foot underground facility at the Capitol will act as the new main entrance for all tour groups and will offer a multifunctional, 500-person auditorium — big enough to hold the governor’s budget conference and other major public conferences — and a conference center with space for historical exhibits.

Heritage Hall will enable business groups, lobbyists, local advocacy groups and others to meet with legislators in a convenient location, and it is expected to increase tourism in Lansing.

Blackshaw said a meeting is already scheduled for August in Heritage Hall, and the facility is starting to book for committee rooms and different meetings for next year.

“It’s a very exciting and beautiful project,” he said. “Skylights enable you to look up and see the Capitol dome; it’s really going to be an attractive facility. We believe it will draw people right to it.”

Heritage Hall is expected to open to the public in late June.

Those interested can visit capitol.michigan.gov/restoration to access videos and a livestream of the project.

NEW BUSINESSES ARE A CUT ABOVE

BY KYLE DOWLING

Two recent additions to the Lansing-area business landscape are helping residents to look and feel their best.

Loyalty Barbershop, 1219 Turner Road in Old Town, and Gifted Hands of Joy, 4601 W. Saginaw Highway, are giving customers a fresh perspective to put their best selves forward.

Before opening Loyalty Barbershop, Alexander Dominguez got an instructor’s license and tried to open a barber school. When that didn’t work out, he refocused his efforts on his own barbershop.

“I knew that when I became a barber that the ultimate goal was to one day open something that I could call my own,” Dominguez said.

When looking for a place to set up, Dominguez finally settled on Lansing.

“Growing up in St. Johns, I was very familiar with Lansing,” he said. “I saw all the growth in Detroit and Grand Rapids and knew Lansing couldn’t be far behind.”

Loyalty Barbershop has a comforting atmosphere that comes from Dominguez’s fondness for older things. He began collecting old barber-related items, moving to federal eagle mirrors, velvet paintings, nautical oil paintings and anything vintage.

Gifted Hands of Joy is a salon/spa owned and operated by Maya Joy, who focuses on healthy haircare and massages that relieve pain and improve mobility.

“I like to focus on neck, shoulder and lower-back massages,” explained Joy. “My goal is to make people feel better and feel better about themselves.”

Her salon began last November, but she already has big plans on getting a larger space to provide more services. She has also been trying to give back to the community by working with a local nonprofit to give victims of human trafficking a free haircut.

“I want to provide a place of relaxation and rejuvenation, a place where people can get away from stress and be provided with the services of a full salon,” Joy said.

Joy also provides her own 100% natural products in her shop that promote hair health and hair growth, as well as products that relieve dry skin and help reduce psoriasis.

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business / AREA SNAPSHOT

CSA FARMS SPREAD THE HARVEST AMONG SHAREHOLDERS JACKSON IS CLOSER TO GOAL OF NEW YMCA

BY TEECE ARONIN

Young man, it might almost be time to hit the dance floor.

There’s reason to celebrate in Jackson as the city moves closer to reaching its goal of a new YMCA. The collaborative process that brought together the city of Jackson, Granger Construction, architecture and engineering firm Bergman and Gro Development, and fundraisers had raised nearly $23 million at the end of 2021 on a $25 million funding target.

“There is a great deal of enthusiasm and excitement about the programs, services and opportunities that will come from a new Y in downtown Jackson,” said Shawna Tello, CEO of Jackson YMCA. “The Y is humbled by the support we have received. Because of our generous donors and their investment, our new Y and our partners will help the YMCA transform the health and well-being of our community and, without long-term debt, be sustainable for generations to come.”

The new facility will include roughly 6,500 square feet for Henry Ford Allegiance Health, 1,000 square feet for Big Brothers Big Sisters and a total of more than 70,000 square feet of functional space. Jackson’s current YMCA is approximately 66,000 square feet.

“The community of Jackson is excited to see our YMCA grow and improve,” said Craig Hatch, president and CEO of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce. “Having our YMCA downtown has kept our residents active beyond just physical activity. With the help of generous donors, both corporate and individual, we are able to continuously better our community by making visible, structural and modern improvements to Jackson staples like the YMCA.”

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BY RICH ADAMS

Agriculture is a major industry in Michigan. Of the state’s 47,000 farms, some succeed because of community-supported agriculture.

CSA is a business model where shareholders pay an average of $523 to receive fresh produce weekly through the growing season.

The Allen Neighborhood Center’s Veggie Box is a CSA model that amasses produce from several area farms, different from traditional single-farm CSAs. “The Veggie Box model allows you to support dozens of local businesses all through one convenient program, lessens the distance your food has to travel to get to your table, and creates opportunities for access to the good jobs and healthy foods our community needs,” said Kat Logan, food hub manager at the Allen Neighborhood Center.

Melissa Moorhead participates in the Veggie Box. “The main reason that I’m a shareholder in a CSA is because I think that our corporate food systems are unjust and have demonstrably negative impacts on farmers and the quality of the food we eat,” she said. “It makes me happy to feel like I might be helping out a farmer. Why should they bear all the risk of weather as well as the work?”

Mark Kastner owns Hillcrest Farm, a CSA in Eaton Rapids.

Kastner enables people to make weekly payments instead of a lump sum.

“About a year ago, we changed to an ongoing weekly subscription charge that made joining our CSA very affordable and spread the cash flow on a more even basis,” Kastner said.

“Maintaining a predictable and measurable harvest target will result in a lot less waste in both labor and product and a stronger bottom line,” he said.

FEATURE

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LIFESTYLE SHOP’ BRADLY’S HG LOOKS TO BE A MODERN TRADING POST IN OLD TOWN

BY OMAR SOFRADZIJA

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radly Rakowski has come full circle.

What started out in 2011 as a popup shop in Old Town Lansing’s Absolute Gallery has grown into Bradly’s HG, an eclectic bazaar of home furnishings, accessories, foods and lifestyle accoutrements that recently moved to a storefront at 319 E. Cesar Chavez Ave. While his enterprise has grown, he hasn’t forgotten his humble beginnings.

Tucked in a back corner of his new location is a commercial kitchen that can be rented out to food truck operators and other food entrepreneurs looking to make their own starts in the Old Town business scene, just as he did more than two decades ago.

Rakowski’s rise through the years in many ways paralleled Old Town’s ongoing evolution at the intersection of mid-Michigan culture, commerce and community. Driving both has been a desire for authenticity, an embrace of

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inclusivity, and a demand for experiences that go beyond just buying and selling.

Rakowski described his motive as, “just trying to create a cool space for people.”

“Old Town has a vibrancy. It is a destination. Anybody who comes into town from another location hears about Old Town, so they want to come down here and experience it. It’s part of the whole mix,” Rakowski said. “The diversity of people and the diversity of products: It all plays in with Old Town, because that’s what Old Town is — very welcoming, very diverse; everybody here is welcome, everybody here is equal.”

Rakowski started out selling home furnishings and accessories. As he progressed, he dabbled a bit into kitchenware, candles, baby items, gifts and jewelry. That necessitated a shift from the Absolute Gallery to his own longtime space at 117 E. Cesar Chavez, just down the street from his shop’s new

digs. There, the evolution continued with the introduction of small-batch food lines, many of which were women-owned and represented international tastes.

“It’s a really cool mix of diversity of items,” Rakowski said. “When you enter our store, you’re first greeted by furniture because that’s the flagship part of our business: the furniture and design services. But we have all these other cool aspects of our business that have kind of branched out.”

More branching out is already underway. The new location will host weekly food and craft cocktail demonstrations along with cooking classes.

And Rakowski has recently launched a menswear and lifestyle shop within the HG locale, named Birch Rak Clothier, which he calls “a one-stop shop for guys” for casual clothing, home goods and food items.

“We are not a suit-and-tie place.

Somebody needs a suit and tie, send

FEATURE

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PART OF BRADLY’S SUCCESS IS HAVING AN AMAZING STAFF AND TEAM ALONGSIDE OF ME. I AM FORTUNATE TO HAVE A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO LOVE WHAT WE DO, UNDERSTAND OUR OPERATING PRINCIPLES AND WORK VERY WELL AS A COLLECTIVE,” RAKOWSKI SAID. “ONE OF THE MOST REWARDING PARTS OF OWNING A BUSINESS IS GIVING MY FOLKS OPPORTUNITIES TO ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS AND DREAMS IN THEIR LIVES.”

them to Kositchek’s,” said Rakowski, referencing the upscale downtown Lansing menswear store. “We’re more unbuttoned. A little more casual urban.

But that’s kind of the new thing we got here at Birch Rak.” At first glance, the mishmash of products Rakowski offers may not seem cohesive. But Rakowski isn’t selling items; he’s addressing the comprehensive lifestyle needs of his customers, as well as the intimate personal worlds they’re creating. His customers don’t want to simply buy something; they want to be something.

“A lot of these things, they seem unrelated. But they’re not really unrelated. They all fit in with kind of a lifestyle,” Rakowski said. “We’re not just a furniture store. We’re not just a men’s lifestyle shop. We’re not a food store. We’re a lifestyle shop. Kind of like a mini-department store; but because

we’re individually owned and operated, we have that really cool factor.

“We have stuff you don’t see elsewhere,” he added. “We represent many, many small businesses throughout the world. We have products from right here in Michigan to across the seas from China. We have stuff from all across Europe and Japan. We have a bit of everything. When you walk in, there’s something for everybody here.”

Within Rakowski’s evolution lies a lesson for other entrepreneurs to consider.

“It’s important to continue to look at your business and reassess what it is you need and what people are looking for,” he said. “Part of our success has been my ability to adapt quickly to what people are looking for.

“The cool thing about Bradly’s and Birch Rak is that we always have new merchandise coming in, so every day there’s new shipments of something

new,” said Rakowski. “Our shop is always evolving. We always have different products, but it’s always kind of in the same vein: You get the same quality of items.”

While there’s ongoing change in what’s going on at Bradly’s in particular and Old Town in general, their “why” is amazingly constant. Both Rakowski’s store and the neighborhood in which it operates were, and still are, where people go to get what they want and need.

“Old Town started as a trading post and, in essence, we still are. We’re the modern version of a trading post,” Rakowski said. “And I think that Old Town will continue to do that, and as long as people want to do things where they want to have fun, they want to go out and have life experiences with different foods and products. I think that’s always going to continue to be a draw for Old Town.”

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business / TRENDS

DIGGING INTO HOME GARDENING FIVE FACTS ABOUT BUILDING A BACKYARD BOUNTY It’s that time of year. As spring begins its lean into early summer, more thoughts are turning to getting outdoors and back into the home garden. Whether you’re an old hand at being a green thumb or are just starting to dig gardening, there are many benefits to taking the time to tend to the earth. Here are five home gardening facts to consider as May begins.

IT’S PATRIOTIC Starting in World War I and revitalized in World War II, the U.S. government encouraged citizens to contribute to the war effort by planting, fertilizing, harvesting and storing fruits and vegetables so mass-production farms could dedicate more food resources to supporting allies. Known as “victory gardens,” the government created the National War Garden Commission to help spread the word and provide information on how citizens could help.

The federal Bureau of Education even initiated the U.S. School Garden Army to mobilize children as “soldiers in the soil.” The implementation of food rationing in WWII even further incentivized the idea of home gardening.

IT SAVES MONEY There are a wide range of reasons to get into home gardening. It’s good exercise, it gets you outdoors, it can be mentally stimulating, and it gives you a safe and healthy food source.

Yet another popular reason people opt into a home garden is the cost savings. Even a small garden can bring significant savings on the grocery bill. Citing a study from the National Gardening Association, The Penny Hoarder noted that the average American garden generates an estimated 300 pounds of fresh produce worth about $600 at the grocery store. Minus the average initial investment of $70 by the gardener, that’s $530 right back into your pocketbook. Chaching!

Source: history.com/news/

Source: thepennyhoarder.com/

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THE RIGHT SPACE Deciding how much yard space your home garden consumes really comes down to a matter of ambition. Go too small and you may be disappointed in the yield. Leaning toward a larger space may result in being overwhelmed in the workload of upkeep. For beginners, many sites suggest about 100 square feet for an individual, which would be a 10-by-10foot plot. Best Pick Reports doubles that with a suggestion of 200 square feet per person that you’re looking to feed. For a family of four, that would amount to an 800-square-foot area, or a 20-by-40-foot plot.

HIGHEST VALUE Tomatoes also make the list of high-value crops, meaning they don’t require a significant initial investment and produce a high yield.

You can harvest several pounds of fruit from a single plant, and their vertical growth takes up a small footprint.

However, they do require more intense maintenance as far as feeding and watering.

For high-yield, lowmaintenance crops, GrowVeg suggests planting rhubarb or herbs. Rhubarb comes back year after year, and herbs can be expensive to purchase fresh in the store and don’t have a long shelf life.

Source: bestpickreports.com/

MOST POPULAR It should be no surprise that when it comes to the most popular homegrown crop, the tomato is the king of the hill. According to the National Gardening Association, 86% of homeowners with food gardens plant tomatoes — and the primary reason they do it is for the superior taste.

With so many different varieties of tomatoes to choose from, you could fill an entire garden with them and not repeat yourself once. The remaining top crops in the top five round out the fixings for a perfect salad: cucumbers, sweet peppers, beans and carrots. All you need now is that elusive Italian dressing plant.

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Source: garden.org/learn/

by-growing-high-value-crops/

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Source: growveg.com/guides/ saving-money-in-the-garden-

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PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 517 REGION in partnership with Two Men and a Truck to donate household and those hygiene items to the organizations and those they serve.

Buddy’s Pizza

Buddy’s Opens 20th Location in Okemos Buddy’s Pizza opened its first Okemos restaurant, 2010 W. Grand River Ave., with a ribbon-cutting ceremony April 4. The event marked the company’s 20th restaurant in Michigan and the second restaurant in the mid-Michigan area, with the first opening in west Lansing in June 2020.

To celebrate with the community, Buddy’s welcomed the first 100 guests on opening day with free pizza for a year.

From March 28-30, Buddy’s hosted an exclusive charity preview, where the

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company paid for each customer’s food in exchange for a donation to Child and Family Charities. In addition, Buddy’s donated all opening-day sales to longtime Lansing-area partner Haven House, which provides emergency shelter to one- and two-parent families and helps families find permanent housing.

The partnership between Buddy’s Pizza, Haven House, and Child and Family Charities aims to bolster a shared mission to give back to the Greater Lansing community and help those in need. Buddy’s Pizza recently worked with both nonprofits

Lansing Art Gallery Changes Leadership Lansing Art Gallery Executive Director Barb Whitney has accepted a new role as associate director of development and cultural arts for Michigan State University.

In this new position, she’ll be supporting the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum and the MSU Museum.

Michelle Carlson began serving as acting executive director after Whitney’s departure April 1. The board of directors recognized that Carlson has repeatedly demonstrated mission-driven strategic vision and generous spirit.

Whitney’s tenure spans nearly 16 years and various roles, with the past eight years serving as executive director.

“With our community’s help, we’ve increased arts access while nearly doubling operations and creating annual surplus,” Whitney said. “Against all odds, we’ve increased revenue and moved to a historic landmark building that showcases our Michigan artists, despite a global pandemic. As we look to the future, our momentum is great, our potential is unlimited.”

Dobie Road Put the spring back in your step with Dobie’s Outpatient Therapy and Wellness Programs!!

Outpatient Clinic

•Dobie’s state-of-the-art outpatient gym and warm water pool allow our therapists to use many different techniques to help relieve pain and increase functionality, balance, and strength!

•We work with outpatients one-on-one for their entire session and offer Physical, Occupational, Speech, and Warm Water Aquatic Therapy for community members age 10-110.

Community Wellness

•Community members 18 and up can register on our website for Arthritis Foundation® certified warm water aquatics classes or “Ai Chi” (Tai Chi in the pool) classes, both just $5 each!

•Our 24/7 fitness center is also open to those 18 and up for just $15/month and is SilverSneakers® and PeerFit® certified.

IMPROVING YOUR LIFE IS OUR MISSION! www.dobieroad.org 3860 Dobie Road • Okemos • 517-381-6169

credit unions accept deposits, make loans, and provide a wide array of other financial services.

In contrast to a bank however, credit unions are not-for-profit institutions owned by their members. This means that a credit union’s “profits” go back to members in the form of lower loan rates, higher savings rates, and no-fee or lower fee services.

WHAT IS A CREDIT UNION?

By Deidre Davis, MSU Federal Credit Union’s Chief Marketing Officer Have you always wondered what the differences are between a credit union and a bank?

Let’s start with what a credit union is. A credit union is a not-for-profit cooperative financial institution owned by its members. Credit unions are set up as cooperatives, meaning that one member’s savings becomes another member’s loan. Also, credit unions typically serve groups that share a common bond such as where they work, the community they live in, their faith, or their membership in another organization. Like banks,

As not-for-profit financial institutions, the goal of credit unions is to help our members, not to earn profits for a group of stockholders. In fact, when you open your account at a credit union, you become an ownermember of the credit union.

Also, credit unions have a volunteer board of directors that is elected by the members to ensure that members’ interests are always at the forefront of decisions.

Additionally, credit unions belong to a worldwide network that

supports growth and development of all credit unions.

When choosing a financial institution, it’s important to understand what fees they charge, including any monthly service fees, overdraft fees, ATM charges, and loan application fees. It’s also a good idea to consider the quality of service they provide and their digital service offerings, such as a mobile app or online banking.

Credit unions also have a reputation for their local and personal service, and typically support many local organizations that support those in your community, which could make a big difference when deciding where to keep your money.

DEIDRE DAVIS

Chief Marketing Officer MSU Federal Credit Union deidre.davis@msufcu.org | 517-333-2424 Headquarters: 3777 West Rd., East Lansing, MI 48823

business / NOTABLE NEWS ews our n COM y t i bm AG.

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First National Bank Announces Promotions First National Bank of Michigan announced promotions of Greg Accardo Greg Accardo, Patty Barnas, Jennifer Nemecek and Shaunna Padgett to senior vice presidents.

“FNBM board of directors recently approved Patty Barnas the promotions of Greg, Patty, Jennifer and Shaunna during the bank’s March board meeting,” said First National Bank of Michigan President and Jennifer Nemecek CEO Daniel Bitzer. “Each of these individuals has contributed to the success of our bank; these promotions are well deserved.”

Accardo Shaunna Padgett joined First National as the Holland market president in 2016. He has more than 30 years’ experience and leadership within the banking industry and is a graduate of Ferris State University and Leadership Holland.

Barnas joined First National as market president in Lansing in 2017. She has 40

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years of banking experience, specializing in the health care and nonprofit sectors, and is a graduate of Spring Arbor University.

Nemecek joined First National in 2015 with over 27 years of industry experience.

She leads the treasury management and deposit operations areas of the bank. She is a graduate of Western Michigan University and is treasurer of the board for Residential Opportunities Inc. Padgett, strategic and operating manager, has been with the bank since 2010. She began her career as a personal banker. She is a graduate of Western Michigan University and is a member of the Downtown Kalamazoo Rotary.

Sparrow Carson Nurse Earns DAISY Award Sparrow Carson Hospital recognized a medical surgical nurse known for her outstanding care with the DAISY Award for extraordinary nursing.

Lacie Janssen was nominated by a patient and retired nurse of 37 years. The nomination stated, “Lacie represents the hospital and profession extremely well. She is knowledgeable, kind and caring. She was able to anticipate my needs and made my stay so much easier by keeping me informed.”

Janssen joined the Sparrow Carson team in January 2019. She has experience in the emergency department, home hospice and long-term care. She currently provides exceptional patient care as a nurse on the medical/surgical floor.

The DAISY Award is an international program established in 1999 by the family of J. Patrick Barnes. Created in Barnes’ memory, the foundation is dedicated to recognizing extraordinary nurses for the enormous difference they make in the lives of their patients every day.

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Konnech Honored at Michigan Celebrates Awards Konnech Inc. is being recognized as one of the 2022 awardees for the Michigan 50 Companies to Watch Award, presented

by Michigan Celebrates Small Business.

Konnech will be acknowledged on stage at the in-person awards ceremony during the 18th annual Michigan Celebrates Small Business Gala. The event gathers over 800 guests at the Jack Breslin Student Events Center in East Lansing to celebrate the achievements of this year’s award recipients.

“Governments around the U.S. and the globe depend on Konnech software to run smooth, trouble-free elections,” said founder Eugene Yu. “Our product and customer care teams at our Okemos and East Lansing offices do amazing work and are creating a lasting and positive impact in the communities in which we operate.”

Konnech develops election management software used by some of the largest cities and counties in the U.S., Canada and Australia. Its focus is to deliver transparent, fair and cost-effective elections systems to support democratic processes globally. Konnech software helps manage the poll workers, polling locations, campaigns, assets, mail-in ballots and supplies necessary to run an election.

BRP Creates Manitou Jobs BRP Inc. announced the creation of close to 200 new jobs at its Manitou manufacturing plant in Michigan, nearly doubling its workforce in the state. BRP began construction in April to expand its existing Manitou pontoon boat plant in Lansing while adding manufacturing and warehousing capacity in St. Johns.

With the assistance of the Lansing Economic Area Partnership, BRP

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received performance-based workforce training credits and grants. The package includes workforce development support from local colleges and Capital Area Michigan Works!, as well as job creation incentives from the Michigan Economic Development Corp.

“BRP’s continued investment in Michigan underscores our state’s manufacturing leadership, the strength of our business climate and talented workforce,” said Quentin Messer Jr., CEO of the MEDC and president and chair of the Michigan Strategic Fund. “This project is a win for the Lansing region and for the entire state. We are grateful to the governor and legislative leadership for their continued support of the Michigan Business Development Program that makes these projects possible. We appreciate the efforts of LEAP and our other local partners. We look forward to working with BRP as it grows and provides greater opportunity for our friends and neighbors statewide.”

activities and ACEC/M programs that strengthen the profession for all members.

Michael Baker International, locally Baker and Associates, is a leading provider of engineering and consulting services, including design, planning, architectural, environmental, construction and program management.

ACEC/Michigan Presents Firm of the Year The American Council of Engineering Companies of Michigan recently presented the 2022 Firm of the Year award to Michael Baker International at the Engineering & Surveying Excellence Awards Gala held in Plymouth on March 19.

This is the highest ACEC/M honor bestowed and the only award program instituted to recognize ACEC/M member firms for their leadership in professional practice and community service.

Recognition is based on actions taken by a member firm to progressively develop its management practices and for assuming leadership roles in community outreach

Gould Joins MCDC as Loan Officer The Michigan Certified Development Corp. announced the addition of Coty Gould as loan officer.

Gould will cover central Michigan while working out of his Midland office. His responsibilities will include marketing the Small Business Administration’s 504 Loan Program by working with lenders, smallbusiness owners and other referral sources to secure financing. He will work with the MCDC underwriters to review the eligibility to obtain SBA approval.

Gould comes to the MCDC from Horizon Bank, where he served over seven years as a commercial credit

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analyst and commercial loan officer. He received his bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Northwood University.

Martin Announces Property Deals Martin Commercial Properties, a privately owned real estate services and development company, announced several recent property transactions.

Mercantile Bank in Alma solidified its move to a new location through the sale of its previous building at 311 Woodworth Ave. The community-focused bank won’t be going far, with operations moving to a facility directly across the street. Martin Senior Associate and Office Adviser Thomas Jamieson represented Mercantile in the sale of their property.

Martin facilitated the sale of a singlestory building at 321 E. Grand River Ave. in downtown East Lansing. The property will be the fourth Michigan location for Coratti’s Pizzeria, transforming the former Collegeville Textbook Co. into a venue specializing in Neapolitan-style pizza and craft beer. Martin Associate and Retail Adviser Carson Patten represented the seller in the transaction.

Kasch Properties Ltd. leased a flex space in East Lansing to Certus Medical, marking the entry of a vital service to the Greater Lansing area. Martin represented Kasch Properties in the lease of the facility, and Jamieson facilitated the transaction.

A building at 1003 N. Washington Ave. in Lansing, former home of Farhat and Story Attorneys at Law, recently became the new home of Michigan Creative. Martin Senior Vice President and Office Adviser Eric F. Rosekrans represented Farhat and Story in the sale of the property.

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“We had a phenomenal experience with The Meridian Company from start to finish! They surpassed every expectation. The project managers took care of every detail. The entire process was seamless.”

– Katrina L.

business / STATE/NATIONAL

A BRIEF LOOK AT STATE AND NATIONAL NEWS AFFECTING OUR REGION MICHIGAN STILL HAS ROOM TO GROW IN TECH

BY CHRISTINE MACINTYRE

With advances in technology on the rise, it’s a no-brainer that Michigan set itself up for the future, taking advantage of the endless possibilities for jobs, revenue and economic boosts. Recognized as the historic heart of the automobile industry and the state which, in large part, put the nation on wheels, Michigan is a maker state.

Engorged with technology, research, talent and innovation, Michigan excels in industries such as automotive, mobility and semiconductors. The diverse, innovative culture creates a recipe for success. Even large tech companies such as Amazon, Microsoft and Google invest throughout the state.

Michigan is a manufacturing center with roughly 80,000 workers employed in technology.

In addition, according to the Michigan Economic Development Corp., Michigan has the highest concentration of engineering talent, lending itself to the robust workforce.

Randy Thelen, president and CEO of The Right Place, an economic development organization serving the Grand Rapids region, suggested that Michigan hasn’t met its full potential in the tech sector.

“As we look at how to diversify our economy further, the tech sector is the area where we see tremendous growth opportunity,” he said. However, while technology is the fastest-growing job market nationwide, Michigan hasn’t “fully appreciated it yet.”

To accelerate that growth, the Grand Rapids region is one example of a community giving a serious amount of strategy to

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grow the tech sector. Thelen said that as the state advances, it will be about improving on what already exists and figuring out how to build on and add new things that accelerate growth.

Aspirational markets such as Denver or Nashville provide understanding of how to build a tech ecosystem and how Michigan can put a twist on it. Naturally, some of the fastestgrowing regions also happen to be some of the fastest-growing tech hubs.

“The beauty of technology is that it’s a sector in and of itself.

Every company is a technology company — a notion reinforced during the pandemic as companies big and small reverted to technology,” said Thelen.

SELF-SERVE REFLECTS CHANGES IN SHOPPING PREFERENCES

BY CHRISTINE MACINTYRE

Consumers may find it ironic that box grocery and retail stores keep shoppers connected to essentials, including food, toilet paper and other assorted daily sundries. Yet, at these stores that are primarily essential to today’s society, shoppers find themselves alone at the checkout, as self-serve checkouts are popping up where cashiers once stood.

While cashiers, who make up the third-largest occupation in the United States, seem to be fading, stores are taking advantage of automated checkouts so employees can focus their attention where it’s needed most. Released in February, Walmart’s fourth-quarter earnings report for fiscal year 2022 reiterated this point. Walmart Inc. President and CEO C. Douglas McMillon stated, “our stores are both stores and fulfillment centers,” with a 170% increase in orders coming from their stores versus 2021 on top of the more than 500% increase from 2020.

A recent report from Deloitte and the Food Industry Association suggested that the retail food industry benefited from the pandemic in sales as at-home consumption increased and, consequently, consumer food sales. However, Jennifer Rook, Michigan Retailers Association vice president of communication and marketing, said that “large retailers, in general, have

proprietary reasons for adapting with self-checkouts (e.g., lack of workers, loss prevention, etc.).”

Regardless, to maintain the coronavirus-induced momentum, retailers are learning to adapt to the fluid state of the economy and trends in consumer preferences. Drivers include online shopping through store websites and apps, evolving customer service demand, and curbside and in-store pickup. These are the areas where employees are needed.

The implications of these drivers suggest the nature of the work itself is also transforming. According to Deloitte and FMI, “meeting the evolving demands of food retailers can be expensive, and retailers can’t always pass costs on to consumers.” However, once commodity inflation, increased labor costs, and new safety measures increase and place pressure on margins, the industry finds ways to increase productivity and decrease costs.

Utilizing self-serve checkouts is an example of how organizations are creating a culture within organizations that promote growth, adaptability and resilience while maintaining competitiveness and increasing sales growth and market shares.

Representatives for both Walmart and Meijer did not return requests for comment.

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NEW HOSPITAL. NEW ER. NEW ADDRESS. NOW OPEN.

WELCOME TO THE NEW McLAREN. Our all-new health care campus is now open and located near the intersection of Forest and Collins roads. Here, we are advancing care, safety, comfort, and convenience for the Lansing community. From the cancer-fighting expertise of Karmanos to a modern heart and vascular institute to luxurious labor and delivery suites to an emergency department that reinvents the patient experience, we’ve brought our best closer to you.

Visit mclaren.org/lansing to learn more.

2900 Collins Road Lansing, MI 48910 (517) 975-6000 mclaren.org/lansing

business / ON THE RECORD

CLIENTS CALL AARON TOBIAS AT CENTURY CONSTRUCTION FOR A VARIETY OF NEEDS, FROM REMODELING AND ADDITIONS TO RENOVATIONS AND REPAIRS.

LICENSE TO BUILD ON THE RECORD WITH AARON TOBIAS OF CENTURY CONSTRUCTION

BY MARY GAJDA

Aaron Tobias is passionate about the work he’s put into the community for 15 years with Century Construction of Lansing. As a general contractor, the business performs some of the work itself and aligns with subcontractors, such as plumbers and electricians, when appropriate.

And as the journey through spring begins, the work is certainly there. Clients call Century Construction for a variety of needs, from remodeling and additions to renovations and repairs. Tobias said bathroom and kitchen remodels are the most sought-after services of the season.

“Especially since COVID began and due to our housing shortage, most people are looking to update their living spaces and functionality,” he said.

Supply chain issues cause some delays, but Tobias explained that planning and managing expectations make timing tolerable. It’s the high demand for labor that Tobias feels passionate about as an issue.

“Since the housing bubble of the mid-2000s, we have lost and not replaced a large amount of skilled construction workers,” Tobias said. “In addition to that, there was no training of new workers to take their place.”

Tobias said youth have been pushed away from construction jobs due to the belief that a four-year degree guaranteed a better future. As a former president of the local Home Builders Association, Tobias wants to drive the point home that this isn’t always the case. Not even close.

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“I am not aware of any other profession that would allow you to start your own business as quickly and with as little money invested as the construction industry,” Tobias said. “I would still recommend further education in business management, accounting, etc. and skill-specific training to avoid costly mistakes.”

Speaking of costly, construction and remodeling can be just that. Many builders are now charging for estimates because often a potential client will ask for an estimate, getting surprised by costs and opting out — wasting valuable time. Tobias recommended that before the phone call is even placed for an estimate, homeowners do some research and know their budget going in.

“Ask for budget pricing to make sure you are being realistic,” Tobias said. “I typically recommend that people start looking on Pinterest or Houzz and start getting pictures of what they want.”

Communication is also key.

“Be clear about your expectations and ask questions,” he said.

“Most problems I’ve run into can either be fixed or improved when both parties communicate better.”

Tobias is humble about his community involvement. He’s been active with projects for Habitat for Humanity, coaching and more.

“I do promote volunteering in the hopes that others will join. I think it really helps build a community,” he said.

For more information about Century Construction, visit centuryconstruction.net.

business / PERSPECTIVE

A SPOTLESS RECORD A Q&A WITH AMI LEONARD OF SWEET SOLUTIONS CLEANING SERVICE LLC COREY SPRING AND AMI LEANARD

BY KYLE DOWLING

Q& A

What is Sweet Solutions?

Sweet Solutions is a nonjudgmental, fun, friendly, cleaning company. We love to help families and business owners maintain their homes and businesses. Our two favorite mottos are “Have A problem? We have the solution!” and “Dirtier the better.”

What made you start Sweet Solutions?

I started cleaning when my daughters were little to make extra money. I would just clean

family and friends’ houses until I started a job at General Motors. I didn’t do it as often because I worked so much. Then the pandemic hit, and we were out of work for a while. I was going stir crazy. I woke up one day in June 2021 and told Corey (Spring), “Hey, let’s start a cleaning business!” He looked at me like I was crazy but said OK, and we got everything going. And here we are, killing it. We love all our clients and the businesses we clean for. It’s been amazing and scary all at the same time. I never imagined in this short amount of time we could be doing so well. Corey and I are so thankful for all our amazing clients, and we wouldn’t be where we’re at without them.

Do you work mostly in residential or commercial spaces?

We work in both. We have three commercial contracts and too many residential to count.

Do you have any community involvement?

We just started last year throwing a car show, where everyone can come have fun looking at all the trucks and cars and eat

good food from vendor trucks. It’s all a good family day.

When you’re a cleaning service, you are in a person’s personal space. How do you build that trust with clients?

Friendliness and being nonjudgmental for us are huge. Some people are so embarrassed when they contact us, and I always make sure to tell them that it’s OK and that we do this for a living. We love our job; call us crazy. That usually breaks the ice with the client, and they laugh.

You don’t know what someone is going through when their house gets bad. The last thing they need is someone talking down to them when they’re calling us for help. I want to pick people up, not push them down.

How can people contact you?

Our business phone is (517) 331-9093 and our email is Sweetsolutions2022@ yahoo.com. You can also find us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok under the same name.

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business / BIZ TIPS

CULTIVATING CREATIVITY Open yourself to a world of possibilities

BY SUSAN COMBS

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Creativity is a source of growth for organizations, a competitive advantage; and it can be found at all levels of an organization. We often mistakenly think of creativity as only artistic creativity. Not all creativity looks the same.

In March, interesting research on using narrative theory to teach creativity was published by Angus Fletcher, a professor of English at Ohio State University, and Mike Benveniste. Fletcher is also a member of Project Narrative, which is all about how stories work in the brain. In their research, the authors shared three techniques that writers use to help spur creativity.

The first is to develop new worlds in your mind. They cite the example of thinking of your most unusual customer and imagining if all your customers were like that. How would that shift your organization? Who would your competitors be? I’ve used a version of this when I’ve asked clients in a training session to imagine starting a competing company across the street. What would they set up differently? How would the company look? Once all the ideas are out, it’s fascinating for participants to see where they are currently getting stuck. It could be cumbersome communication channels, outdated technology, getting bogged down in unwieldly processes or any wide variety of thwarts to progress.

The other two techniques from the research include perspective shifting, answering a problem by thinking like another member of the team, and action-generating, combining two ideas such as two people with different motives. All of this underlines the importance and value of hiring a diverse team.

Any of these options helps us consider the “what if.” It frees the creator in all of us to fill in the blank. According to Fletcher, “Creativity is about making yourself open to imagining radically different possibilities.”

And a quote on my desk from an Executive Summaries article 25 years ago still rings true today: “Imagine a world where everyone was constantly learning, a world where what you wondered was more interesting than who you knew, and curiosity counted for more that certain knowledge. Imagine a world where joy was not a dirty word and where play was not forbidden after your 11th birthday. Imagine a world in which the business of business was to imagine worlds people might actually want to live in someday. Imagine a world for the people, created by the people. Yeah, imagine that.”

lifestyle PLACES p.32 GOOD READS p.34 RECIPE p.35 HOME HELPERS p.38 POLL p.40 NONPROFIT p.48 PLAY p.50

FOR PLANT’S SAKE Neva Lee’s plant shop at 123 E. Kalamazoo St. in Lansing has a modern, cheeky vibe and provides services from houseplant installation to repotting, rentals and even houseplant sitting. While owners Faun Donald and Luke Trusnovec like to have fun, they take their business seriously.

“The most popular plants right now are definitely all the philodendrons, snake plants and peperomias,” Donald said.

“They say it’s the year of the peperomia, which I love, but I am trying to make it the year of the Brasil. I am always trying to get folks on board with those. They are easy care and beautifully varied leaf by leaf.”

For newbies, Donald said start with the snake plant, formerly known as sansevieria, and the easy ZZ plant. It is tolerant of a variety of lighting conditions and prefer to be on the dry side.

“I think people are loving on plants lately because we’ve become a disjointed society, and houseplants add life to your space — giving you something to care for,” Donald said when asked about the rising popularity of houseplants. “The act of getting your hands in soil, watching a new leaf pop out and see the growth is something that keeps you going back for more.”

She also credits social media influencers. Check out Neva Lee’s on Facebook @ HelloNevaLees and Instagram @neva.lees.

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lifestyle / PLACES

DIGGING INTO VINTAGE JUNKIES POPULAR REO TOWN BUSINESS FEELS LIKE HOME

BY METRO MELIK

t ent a cont more G.COM A 517M

When Amy McMeeken was young, she wanted to be an archeologist.

Somehow through the success of her store, Vintage Junkies at 1133 S. Washington Ave. in Lansing’s REO Town, she’s done just that — uncovering lost and forgotten treasures to give them another chance to shine.

McMeeken chose to live in Lansing to be close to her brothers and sisters. A National Geographic video detailing the unearthing of the Chinese terra-cotta warriors prompted her to start digging in her parents’ yard. It could be said she’s been digging ever since.

McMeeken had a side hustle of refinishing furniture as a hobby. She enjoyed bringing pieces of furniture back to life. While she worked at a hotel as an accountant, she started selling vintage pieces part time online.

Her friends pushed her to open a store with a physical location. Having a degree in accounting and interior design helped the idea become the perfect formula for success.

McMeeken’s first location was at the Kwast Building across from REACH Studio Art Center. Then just before the world went into COVID-19 chaos, she moved up the road to REO Town.

After six years in business, she has a strong following and an active customer base. She added porch drop-offs to the mix during

the pandemic, which helped sustain her business. That, along with the expansion, pushed her creativity further.

When considering the name for her business, McMeeken knew retro could be a remedy but wasn’t sold on the notion. She wanted something that seemed fun — and being a junkie for vintage items, the name seemed perfect. Her goal for the store is to carry more funky stuff that is unique.

“I just want to get weirder,” she said.

When you enter the store, you feel a sense of place as well as a sense of home. It helps you see the items in your space. The theme is definitely antique, retro and even memorabilia; however, there is a spattering of new. McMeeken started to support other women-owned businesses in the U.S., with a fair number from Michigan. However, the items have a vintage vibe or style.

McMeeken described her store as “everyday vintage for a modern home, with items that can stand out or blend in with today’s furniture and décor.” The store is such a comfortable space that customers often remark that they want to live there.

“Having bootstrapped the whole way, trying to trickle my way up by digging a trench,” McMeeken has dug deep in her investment in her business, REO Town and her customers. When you visit Vintage Junkies, you’ll catch the vibe — and it will feel like home.

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lifestyle / GOOD READS

WHY COFFEE TABLE BOOKS ARE A THING THE PSYCHOLOGY BEHIND THE ITEMS AND A FEW POPULAR PICKS

BY MARY GAJDA

Coffee table books have long been considered as decorative. They grace your tabletop with beautiful photos. They are nice to have guests leaf through as conversation starters or to fill awkward silence, and they are tangible. You can hold them, run your hands over the smooth stock and admire the art they hold.

More than that, according to psychologists, the coffee table books you set out send a message about who you are. They show your interests, your dreams and your personality. They bring emotions to the table from nostalgia to pride to desires.

From fashion and music enthusiasts to auto lovers, world travelers, history buffs, photographers and hobbyists, there are coffee table books for every interest and personality.

Here are a few popular coffee table books you may enjoy.

the Palace of Winds in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India; and even to see the mountains, Saxon villages and folklore of Transylvania, Romania.

“ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST AT 100: A CENTURY OF STYLE”

While the cover is minimalist, this celebration of the best from the pages of Architectural Digest from author Amy Astley showcases the private abodes of well-known people like Truman Capote, Frank Lloyd Wright and even David Bowie. It’s both a look at the past from the archives to modern-day architecture featuring top designers and architects. Those who love design and architecture are sure to love browsing this coffee table book and putting it on display in their homes.

“THE NEW BLACK VANGUARD: PHOTOGRAPHY BETWEEN

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“1,000 PLACES TO SEE BEFORE YOU DIE”

ART AND FASHION”

This luxurious deluxe giftbook edition from Patricia Schultz is one of the bestselling coffee table books of all time — and it’s no surprise. Not only is it visually stunning, but the narration includes brief descriptions of each locale as well as must-do’s for those who choose to travel to the destinations featured. This book will take you to Lhasa, Tibet, China to see the fortress home of the dalai lamas; to

This gorgeous book of imagery and narration by Antwaun Sargent presents a look at radical transformation taking place in fashion, art and culture. It features the work of famous photographers like Tyler Mitchell, the first Black photographer to shoot a cover story for American Vogue. A reader review on Amazon called it a “love song to fashion specifically and to Black people generally.”

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lifestyle / RECIPE

ZESTY RADISH AND CHIVE SANDWICHES

• • • •

BY MARY GAJDA

RADISHES ARE FRESH, CRISP AND PEPPERY TASTING. NOT EVERYONE LOVES THEM; BUT IF YOU DO, HERE’S A TREAT YOU’LL WANT TO TRY.

SIDENOTES

INGREDIENTS:

• •

3 radishes, thinly sliced

•

2 tablespoons of chives, finely chopped

• • •

1/3 cup of softened cream cheese

6 slices of rye bread (or your favorite bread) Salad cress, optional Lemon juice

If you’re making ahead of time, cover with a slightly damp tea towel until you’re ready to serve.

Not a cream cheese fan? You could opt for a butter spread with some herbs, lemon zest and lemon juice.

You can also replace the chives with dill.

Add cucumbers for more filler.

DIRECTIONS: Mix together the softened cream cheese, 2/3 of your chives and a squeeze of lemon juice.

Slice your bread, top with the cream cheese mixture, then with the radishes. Sprinkle the remaining chives as a garnish. You can also add salad cress as a garnish. Serve open-faced or top with another slice of bread for a full sandwich.

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lifestyle / HOME HELPERS A garage sale is a great way to purge old items and make cash to pay off bills, buy replacement pieces or even take a vacation.

Doing it right will make the difference in how much cash you count at the end of the day.

PREP A truly great sale takes time and planning.

Spend time wiping off dusty items, making sure they work and organizing them into categories, just like you’d see at a retail store. Having a hard time parting with something? Remember the rule: If you haven’t used it within a year and don’t plan to use it, let it go.

PRICING Let’s have a moment of honesty here: No one expects to pay top dollar at a garage sale. Often, we see higher prices on some items because they have emotional value, or because someone paid top dollar years ago when the item was purchased. Do your research, be flexible and always expect to be asked how low you’ll go for an object. It’s just part of the garage sale game. Stand your ground on what matters,

OUT WITH THE OLD HOW TO HOLD A SUCCESSFUL GARAGE SALE

BY MARY GAJDA

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but also remember your purpose — decluttering and making money.

STAGING To truly attract attention to your sale, place your larger-ticket items closest to the street.

Show your sale has goods for everyone.

MARKETING Facebook has several local garage sale groups, and those seem to get the most bang for no bucks. You can also advertise in the local paper or put an ad on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace.

Lots of easy-to-read signage leading buyers to your event will also make an impact. Make sure to use language that brings the right shoppers. For example, mom-to-mom sale, moving sale or furniture sale. List popular items like bicycles, gaming devices, tools and furniture.

CLEAN UP Make piles to organize how you’ll part with items: consign, donate, keep or trash. Having a plan will help you muster the energy when the sale is over to just finish the job.

HERE’S A HELPFUL CHECKLIST FOR WHAT YOU’LL NEED ON-SITE FOR YOUR SALE

• Bottled water/snacks • Cash for change • Cashbox/fanny pack • Extension cord/power strip for electronic testing • Hand sanitizer • Notebook/pen • Phone charger • Price stickers/markers • Plastic bags, paper bags, newspaper and boxes • Radio • Signs • Tables and clothing racks • Trash can

Call me today at 517.253.8563 With 21 years of experience serving successful women and their families in the Lansing area, Stephanie uses her comprehensive approach to financial planning to provide advice for women who want to be empowered and informed as they make complex decisions about their future.

for a complimentary initial consultation.

As the only Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® (CDFA®) in Lansing*, she believes that freedom and independence are core values of successful women, regardless of marital status.

Stephanie Milosavlevski

CFP®, CDFA® Financial Advisor

WE CARE ABOUT PROTECTING YOU AND YOUR FAMILY • • • • • •

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2139 Commons Parkway Okemos, MI 48864 • 517.253.8563 stephanie.j.milosavlevski@ampf.com ameripriseadvisors.com /stephanie.j.milosavlevski *Source: Institute for Divorce Financial Analysts (IDFATM). Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and CFP (with plaque design) in the U.S. The initial consultation provides an overview of financial planning concepts. You will not receive written analysis and/or recommendations. Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC, Member FINRA and SIPC. Not Federally Insured | No Financial Institution Guarantee | May Lose Value © 2021 Ameriprise Financial, Inc., All rights reserved. 3711737ACMR0821

Providing excellent customer service to our clients for over 35 years

WWW.CAPITALINSURANCE.COM

(517) 482-7900 | 4299 Five Oaks Drive, Lansing, MI

lifestyle / BEST OF...

best of

HOME AND GARDEN BY 517 STAFF

Everything is coming up roses in Greater Lansing.

The theme of our May issue of 517 Magazine is home and garden, and we asked our readers what business will be their main resource to elevate their home or garden this spring and summer, and why?

It’s no surprise that Bradly’s HG led the pack of reader votes. The business recently moved to a new location in Old Town and literally has something for everyone with an eclectic and exciting mix of products for the home. Read more about Bradly’s in our cover feature on page 13.

Other mentions include several area businesses that could be considered icons because they’ve been popular for so long.

Heat ’N Sweep, 2401 W. Grand River Ave. in Okemos, has been thriving

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for over 40 years. The family-owned business has a nice selection of patio furniture, fireplaces, hot tubs and saunas.

Hyacinth House at 1800 S. Pennsylvania Ave. in Lansing garnered applause for its staff and selection. Did you hear it’s under new ownership?

Read about on page 9.

Lansing Gardens at 1434 Jolly Road has been a popular destination and has been helping gardens bloom for 100 years. That’s an impressive accomplishment. One reader said the staff was kind and welcoming to her kids.

The Plant Professionals at 16886 Turner Road in Lansing began in 1979 as a one-person operation and sold tropical indoor plants in baskets to businesses.

My, how it has grown. Readers applauded owner Kathy Valentine and the quality offerings and outstanding

service for residences and businesses large and small.

River City Farms at 7928 Stoll Road in Grand Ledge is a charming, oldfashioned farm stand specializing in beautiful annual and perennial flowers, plants, trees and shrubs. One reader said, “Farmer Joe is fantastic. I stumbled upon this place as a referral and never had to look elsewhere.”

Van Atta’s Greenhouse and Flower Shop at 9008 Old M-78 in Haslett was lauded by our readers for the great variety and helpful staff. The yearround, full-service garden center and flower shop also has an impressive retail and boutique area and is worth the trip from anywhere.

Missed seeing your favorite mentioned?

Don’t miss our polls, easily found at 517mag.com under “polls” along the top of our page. Make your voice count by chiming in.

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ALL STUFFED UP and Nowhere to Blow The Role of the Stuffy Nose in Airway and Sleep Dysfunction PART ONE: The word is out! 24/7 nasal breathing is everyone’s aim, and for a litany of health reasons. For only the nose holds such magic abilities to warm, humidify and purify the air. But in babies and growing children, 24/7 nasal breathing (with lips sealed and the tongue resting up, on the palate) plays perhaps a weightier role in dodging lifelong breathing and sleep disorders. The muscles responsible for habitual resting, sucking and swallowing functions literally form their growing bones into the ultimate shape of their tongue-box and nose-space.

Fortunately, we are born with the ability to breathe through our noses — otherwise we wouldn’t be able to eat. Recall that newborns must suck and swallow with their mouth while simultaneously breathing through their nose. Sometimes we need to intervene in order to ease lip closure, good tongue posture and suckling. We have witnessed good results from releasing tongue-ties and lip-ties plus accessing craniosacral and myofunctional therapies.

Mouth Breathing to the Rescue But what if, one day your kiddo wakes up with a nose that’s completely plugged? Thank God the mouth is available as a backup plan. Granted, it doesn’t oxygenate your child’s body with the same efficiency or offer the same air filtration, but it’s lifesaving in these times of need. And hopefully, as in the case of a common cold, their stuffy nose clears up in a week or so and your child experiences a homecoming … to 24/7 nasal breathing. But what if that rescue mouth breathing turns into a lasting habit?

Here’s where it gets confusing. Turns out, chronic mouth breathing creates many significant problems for your body and also becomes the new culprit for the stuffy nose itself. This concept we call “nasal disuse” is one we don’t fully understand, but we do concur that it’s real. In fact, after reading James Nester’s book,

“Breath,” we felt like we lived it vicariously during his selfinflicted plugged nose experiment.

The Plot Thickens …

In analyzing this shift in my kids (patients) from healthy nose breathing to a chronic mouth breathing, I kept asking myself, “What else might I be missing?” Then, while writing the book, “Brave Parent: Raising Healthy Happy Kids (Against all Odds) in Today’s World,” the research led me to some interesting answers.

Turns out, there are other pediatric airway diseases/disorders whose incidences have skyrocketed with alarm in the past 40 years … allergies and asthma. Both epidemics began their steady climbs in the 1980s, right along with sleep disordered breathing and obstructive sleep apnea.

Bang! I immediately started looking at food and environmental allergies as a significant stimulant for the chronic stuffy nose — that stuffy nose that necessitates rescue mouth breathing … that spurs further nasal disuse … and ultimately drives the cascade of face, dental and airway deformities in growing children.

Stay tuned for the rest of the story, as I focus in on allergies and other immune challenges in my next 517 Magazine health corner.

Dr. Susan Maples is a dentist in Holt. She is also a speaker, health educator, and author of “BlabberMouth! 77 Secrets Only Your Mouth Can Tell You to Live a Healthier, Happier, Sexier Life” and “Brave Parent: Raising Healthy, Happy Kids (Against All Odds) in Today’s World.”

Reach her at Susan@DrSusanMaples.com

Total-Health-Dentistry.com 517-694-0353

FEATURE

Shut the Front Door!

LOCAL ARTIST FINDS INSPIRATION IN ENTRYWAYS

BY CHRISTOPHER NAGY 517 43

H

ow you view a doorway might say a lot about who you are as a person.

On the one hand, a door can be considered a means to keep out unwanted guests and distractions — a measure of comfort that comes from the security of sequestering yourself safely behind the closed latches and hinges that keep the outside world at bay and provide a sense of solitude.

The other camp may see a door as a tool of welcoming whose purpose is to attract attention and invite others inside a space of shared camaraderie and fellowship.

For a number of years, East Lansing artist Adrienne Gelardi has used her skills to unlock some of the secrets for the latter group across mid-Michigan and beyond — and turning quite a few heads in the process. Her business, Art of Adrienne, has garnered a positive reputation as well as a healthy stockpile of press attention for the bright and bold murals and designs Gelardi brings to doorways and more across mid-Michigan and beyond.

“I painted my own front door in 2018 after I finished painting my whole house two shades of dark gray. I picked out a chartreuse color that looked great at the store and terrible on my door,” Gelardi said.

“I am stubborn and didn’t want to have to buy a new color to paint over it. Instead, I was inspired by my new painting hobby, so I decided to jazz it up with a floral pattern.

I choose all-white line work hoping to make it look more modern. After posting it on my Art of Adrienne page, people went nuts about it. None of my watercolor pet portraits or other paintings garnered as much attention. At that point I knew I was onto something, so I started marketing this service to residential customers.”

It didn’t take too long for the commercial sector to also take notice, and she said that this year the majority of her commissions are coming from local businesses in mid- and southeast Michigan.

Gelardi created Art of Adrienne as a Facebook page in 2016 when she started painting regularly as hobby for stress relief, but her artistic initiatives stretch back much farther. She took inspiration as a child from the artwork of Michigan native Lisa Frank.

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“I spent a lot of time drawing cats and cat people and anthropomorphic cats — all the classics,” she said with a laugh. “I also recall drawing a dinosaur with my mom’s lipstick on the basement wall and carving numbers onto my dad’s car when I was a little kid. It only dawned on me in the last year that I was basically being a mural artist before even knowing murals existed.”

Gelardi attended Columbia College Chicago and earned a bachelor’s degree focusing on traditional animation, hoping to find a home animating cartoons and movies.

“But after graduating I realized it was hard to find a full-time job in animation, especially in Michigan,” she said. “I also don’t think I excelled at animation, but school did help me become a more well-rounded artist with a better eye for creating appealing compositions and layouts.”

She ended up working as a production artist at a company in Greater Lansing; however, as she continued to hone her talents, Gelardi was also becoming more frustrated and disillusioned with the corporate world.

“My co-worker at the time let me borrow his Dr. Ph. Martin’s liquid watercolors, and they were so vibrant and inspiring I couldn’t put them down. After spending a few months painting, I thought it would be amazing if I could leave my job and become an artist,” she said.

A few years ahead of the Great Resignation, Gelardi took the leap, parlaying the Art of Adrienne Facebook page into a full-fledged business as Art of Adrienne LLC in 2018.

“The amount of emotional labor it took to put up with management and office politics was much more than I could physically bear,” she said. “I knew it would be lot of work, but it was so worth it when I left.”

The risk, it seems, paid off as Gelardi found a unique niche to fully explore and unveil her style. She said her design ideas come from anywhere and everywhere — from nature to using other artwork as a springboard to inspiration.

“Ultimately, my design philosophy is making it look pretty. My artwork is more representational than photo realistic. I like to make unexpected choices and use color combinations people aren’t used to seeing,” Gelardi said.

“I only take on clients who are looking for an artist to supply their own unique vision to a project. I will take basic input from the client to tailor a design to their personal preference and the needs of the space. I will often make suggestions and explain why I may think a certain color would look better in a space than another,” she added. “Ultimately, I don’t accept every job because many times I don’t feel like I’m the right artist for it. I don’t copy artwork or logos. I can make things inspired by other artwork, but don’t come to me to paint Disney characters on your wall.”

Her favorite job thus far in her career was a mural at Wiard’s Orchard in the Ypsilanti area detailing a history of the establishment with a Halloween theme.

“Going to Wiard’s Orchard in the fall was one of my favorite things to do when I was a kid,” she said. “It’s one of the best orchards in Michigan. When they contacted me, I was beside myself with excitement. … It’s rare that I get to paint skeletons, headless horsemen and jack-o’-lanterns, and it turns out those are some of my favorite things to paint. It only got better from there because they let me camp on their property while working on a mural and also regularly let me hold their baby goats.”

As for the future, Gelardi has ideas simmering on the back burner she hopes to one day find the time and funding to bring to the forefront. In the meantime, she’s happy to bring her vision to life and make her clients happy.

“The best part about what I do, other than happy customer reactions, is that it’s multifaceted and it always keeps me interested,” Gelardi said. “As an artist, it’s exciting to be painting trash cans to look like ice-cream cones one day and then be painting barn doors to look like a flowery neon-sign backdrop for a wedding venue the next. Sometimes it’s so random, but it’s always fun.”

“ Sometimes

FEATURE

ADRIENNE GELARDI STANDS NEXT TO THE MURAL SHE CREATED FOR DING TEA IN EAST LANSING

it’s so random, but it’s always fun.

“ 517 45

S P E C I A L A DV E R T I S E M E N T

A PLEDGE FOR PROGRESS:

COMMITMENT TO RACIAL HEALING AT LANSING’S COLLEGE

BY ANDY BRENT

Students are the difference makers.

That is what Lansing Community College Chief Diversity Officer Tonya Bailey believes. Students “can help us create an atmosphere where hate, racism and intolerance are rejected, and inclusion is the norm,” she says.

Students are the impetus behind LCC’s new We’re Better that THAT campaign, designed to combat institutional bias and racism.

We’re Better than THAT (WBTT) provides LCC’s community law enforcement, students, faculty and staff with approaches to difficult conversations on prescient topics, and strategies to eliminate hate speech and racism. WBTT announces racism and hate speech have no place in Lansing, and that LCC is a community whose members are equally valued and respected.

Bailey understands the WBTT campaign will help LCC’s campuses overcome obstacles to student achievement.

On March 2, LCC formally launched WBTT with a ceremony that included remarks and commitment to fostering spaces safe from bigotry and violence from academic professionals, community stakeholders and law enforcement.

WBTT asks allies across the LCC community to sign a pledge affirming behavior contrary to bigotry and working toward equitable campus communities. The pledge asks that signatories: Become an “upstander” not a bystander; actively prevent bias; seek mentorship opportunities; engage your community; be an ally; connect with diverse communities; lead with transparency; engage in courageous conversations; proactively pursue diversity, equity and inclusion learning and training.

LCC President Steve Robinson believes the WBTT pledge is an essential aspect of racial understanding and healing.

“LCC is a leader in many areas, but taking a pledge is an important step of acknowledging a change of behavior in the future,” Robinson said. “I am proud to be one of the first LCC employees who took this pledge. It is an important step to sign your name to a set of values that will guide our behavior in the future; it is a declaration, that we will actually do something about racism.”

LCC’s commitment to racial healing and WBTT’s mission began at the very top. “Leadership on this very important issue of systemic racism was started by our Board of Trustees,” Robinson continued. “This is a journey that we’re on together, and we have been very careful to make sure that we’re walking this talk.”

The WBTT pledge is not simply a placeholder for sentiment, but a comprehensive roadmap to practices and ideas that will make WBTT successful over time. In the inaugural year, WBTT will focus on all nine principles identified in the pledge. In subsequent years, each of the pledge’s nine points will break out into a full year’s campaign focus, allowing LCC and WBTT to appreciate each element of its college wide evolution. The ingrained nature of the program is essential to the resonance of its message, that community engagement and conversations with law enforcement can make a positive difference.

“Beginning in 2023, each year of WBTT will be dedicated to a specific principle within the pledge,” Bailey said. “It is an opportunity for all of us to come together as one college and promote soulful wellbeing across all our interactions.”

Jonathan Rosewood, coordinator for LCC’s MEN About Progress (MAP) – a program established to increase, encourage, and support the inclusion and educational success of male students of color – knows the success of WBTT will hinge on the successful inclusion of youth into ongoing conversations about equity.

“Last month, we created a mentorship opportunity for our LCC MAP men and our police department here on campus, just to truly show we’re better than

“As we ask the community to walk this walk with us, it’s just as important that law enforcement walk this walk as well, because we are a part of this community.”

Chief Daryl Gaines, Swearing In Ceremony Photography by Kevin Fowler

that, and change the narrative,” Rosewood said.

“That’s what we’re about. I’m better than that, you’re better than that, we’re better than that!”

As WBTT is a partnership between LCC’s offices of Diversity and Inclusion and Police and Public Safety, campus Police Chief Daryl Gaines and staff are essential for the fundamental success and grassroots efforts of the WBTT program. Gaines is confident in the things his department can do to foster a spirit of inclusion and safety at LCC. “Embracing diversity is a continuing process that requires honesty, cooperation and conversation,” Gaines said.

“This journey toward inclusion and equity begins with an examination of how we relate to one another and a pledge to engage in the work needed for progress.”

At the March 2 kickoff for WBTT, Chief Gaines was joined in pledge affirming remarks by law enforcement leaders from across mid-Michigan, including Ingham County Sheriff Scott Wigglesworth, Lansing Police Chief Ellery Sosebee, and Michigan State University Assistant Police Chief Doug Monette. Gaines believes the commitment of police leadership to an equitable society is fundamental to WBTT’s potential impact.

“As we ask the community to walk this walk with us, it’s just as important that law enforcement walk this walk as well, because we are a part of this community,” Gaines said.

“The name WBTT is more than appropriate, because it speaks to a change in mentality, to a change in attitude, a change in the way we treat each other and look at each other. Being the police chief at LCC, I understand the importance of LCC being an example, being a leader, being an agent of positive change. I’ve been in law enforcement for almost 21 years and I’ve seen a

lot of things – policed a lot of communities – I’ve come from Baltimore, and I understand from my own personal experiences what it is to be disrespected, to be looked down upon and to be treated a certain way. The way we treat each other is really representative of the communities we’re a part of. We understand that law enforcement has been at the center of a lot of these conversations, and that’s why its so important for us to be a part of this.”

Don Hanson, former chief of the Mason Police Department, agrees with Gaines.

“As a law enforcement professional, leader, community member, father, and as an individual I am better than that because I must embrace and model the treatment of all individuals with the respect and dignity everyone deserves,” Hanson said. “This includes active listening, and ensuring communications and actions are without bias and racism. Join me in both signing the pledge, and being the pledge.”

We’re Better Than THAT continues to facilitate important conversations at Lansing Community College. To sign the WBTT pledge, visit lcc.edu/greatertogether.

lifestyle / JACK DAVIS LEGACY NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT

MCLAREN LOVES LANSING …

AND ITS DONORS HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION RUNS WITH COMMUNITY SUPPORT

BY AMANDA FISCHER

The McLaren Greater Lansing Foundation is deeply committed to the community. The foundation is dedicated to making sure every person has equity and access to world-class health care right here in Lansing. The foundation is raising $10 million to ensure a bright future — with funds to help with patient comfort, programming and technology.

And donors are making the difference.

Donors like Dr. Michael R. Hourani and Jane Hourani are two such examples of community members who make the foundation’s mission successful.

As an internist and nephrologist since 1980 and registered nurse of eight years at Ingham Medical Center, now McLaren Greater Lansing, patient care has always been of utmost importance to the Houranis. The two never denied care to anyone. In fact, Dr. Hourani often received referrals of complicated patients from all over the state because of his expertise and incredible patient care.

But his kindness extended to more than his patients — he had a great relationship with physicians throughout Michigan as well as with the previous administration of Ingham Medical Center and the McLaren Greater Lansing administration.

During his tenure, Dr. Hourani was instrumental in joining the medical staff of Lansing General with the staff at Ingham Medical Center. He played an integral role in starting the inpatient dialysis center at Ingham Medical Center and in bringing outpatient dialysis centers to Lansing and the surrounding communities.

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GIVING WITH COMPASSION

DR. MICHAEL R. HOURANI AND JANE HOURANI ARE GENEROUS SUPPORTERS OF THE MCLAREN GREATER LANSING FOUNDATION.

The Houranis’ passion for providing world-class care has never dulled. The two have been strong supporters of the McLaren Greater Lansing Foundation, giving toward dialysis and nephrology care, nursing education, and patient education. They also have supported the foundation through sponsoring and participating in the Festival of Trees, golf outings and serving on the foundation board.

Most recently, the Hourani family made an incredibly generous donation of $1 million to the foundation’s Campaign for Care. That donation helped make significant progress toward the goal of raising $10 million for the new hospital and the future of health care in the Greater Lansing area. The new McLaren hospital lobby was named in their honor.

“We believe very strongly in supporting our community, and MGLF is one way of doing so. MGL offers much-needed health care services to our community,” Dr. Hourani said. “We have always supported MGLF and will continue to do so because it provides health care support for our community.”

The Houranis believe McLaren Greater Lansing continues to provide a high level of compassionate care to the region; and it’s safe to say the two have an undeniable love for and lifelong connection to the community and the people here as well.

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ccording to Green Circle Salons, the beauty industry produces 877 pounds of waste per minute.

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local recycling site! We collect salon waste in separate bins. Paper and plastic (recycled by the City of Lansing) is collected in one bin, separate from reusable metals.

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lifestyle / PLAY

Save the Date!

t ent a cont more G.COM A 517M

MAX’S RACE FOR THE DAVIES PROJECT June 25 Max’s Race will partner with The Davies Project in 2022 for the 17th annual 5K run/walk on the campus of Michigan State University. Participate in person or virtually and run, walk, bike, swim or kayak in a place near you. Consider a scavenger hunt of Max’s favorite things such as the moon, the color orange or MSU’s mascot Sparty to honor the legacy of Max, who passed away at the age of 6 due to complications from meningitis. For details visit runsignup.com/Race/MI/EastLansing/MaxsRace.

THIS MONTH’S EVENTS Editor’s note: Please call event venues directly to make sure times and dates haven’t changed due to cancellations and postponements related to COVID-19.

Arts Night Out May 6 Old Town in Lansing will once again be holding Arts Night Out, a celebration of local artists and businesses.

Starting at 5 p.m., there will be live music, curated exhibits, art demonstrations and crafts. Arts Night Out happens the first Friday of every other month, meaning you’ve got plenty of chances to get in on the fun. Come meet artists and explore Lansing’s Old Town. Visit myartsnightout.com for more information.

Lids for Kids May 14 Mid-Michigan kids are invited to Lids for Kids from 10 a.m. to noon at the Marshall Street Fire Station in Lansing. Trained professionals and volunteers will fit the kids with a free bike helmet and hand out bicycle safety tips. Any kids in attendance and wearing their new helmet may be entered into a raffle for tons of prizes, including a free bike. There will be opportunities to meet local law enforcement and firefighters, tour a fire engine, and many other fun activities. For more information, visit lidsforkidsmi.org/lansing.

Follow our friends at 517living.com for other upcoming events in the region.

Meridian Garden Club Spring Plant Sale May 21 The Meridian Garden Club will be holding its annual spring plant sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Central Park Pavilion in Meridian Township. Whether your garden looks fantastic or you’re just starting out, the Meridian Garden Club is offering a selection of native plants and houseplants. Garden specialists will be around to assist any customers with questions. There will be a section loaded with gently-used items such as tools, books, pots and other garden-themed items. Visit meridiangardenclub.weebly.com for more information.

Forks & Corks May 21 Forks & Corks, presented by Downtown Lansing Inc. and Michigan Premier Events, is an upscale evening of unparalleled wine and food parings showcasing some of the culinary treats from some of the top dining locations in downtown Lansing. The event runs from

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6-9 p.m., with a special VIP session at 5:30 p.m. Enjoy live music, art, and special drinks and offerings from downtown restaurants. Visit lansing.org/event/forks%26-corks/39564/ for more information.

Rosé All Day May 21 Lansing 5:01 is bringing back Michigan’s rosé wine festival. The second annual Rosé All Day festival will take place in Lansing’s Cooley Gardens. Prepare your camera for the most Instagram-worthy event of the year. Wander through the gardens while tasting from more than a dozen rosé wines, accompanied with live music, local artisans, boutiques and food trucks, and drag performances by Michigan entertainers. Grab tickets at bit.ly/3HZOVYA. East Lansing Art Festival May 21-22 The long-running East Lansing Art Festival, established in 1964, is a two-day outdoor celebration of the culture and arts of mid-Michigan. The nonprofit event is sponsored by dedicated businesses and individuals in the East Lansing area. There will be more than 180 juried artists in attendance from across North America, an emerging artist program to feature up-and-coming artists, free musical performances, art activities for families, and an international food court featuring local vendors. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. For more information, visit elartfest.com.

Kittenpalooza May 21 AAO Cat Rescue and Ingham County Animal Control and Shelter will be at the Ingham County Fairgrounds for Kittenpalooza from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Check out vendors and small businesses, shop the collective rescue rummage sale, and grab some food from the on-site food trucks, all supporting Greater Lansing’s animal welfare organizations. There will be on-site adoptions available for dogs, cats and guinea pigs. For more information, visit eventbrite.com/e/kittenpaloozatickets-274358462547.

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2/7/22 9:15 AM

WRAP UP

CURB APPEAL 5 ways to spruce up your home

BY KYLE DOWLING

The list of improvements to your home is a neverending task, especially when it comes to the outside of your house. But there are smaller projects that you can do besides repainting the entire house to show that you have pride in your home.

LIGHT UP THE OUTDOORS Don’t be afraid to add some lights along the walkway or around your flower beds. This adds interesting depth to your home in the evening, with the bonus of being easier to see when you come home late.

TIGHTEN UP THOSE EDGES There are those places that the lawn mower just won’t reach, mostly the edges of lawn. You’d be surprised how much cleaner your yard looks when the edges of the sidewalk are cleared.

UPDATE THAT MAILBOX Whether it’s a new mailbox or a new coat of paint, an old mailbox is something that people will notice. Sometimes it just needs a good wash.

THE POWER OF WASHING Speaking of washing, a lot of dirt and grime hides in plain sight. Rent a power washer for an afternoon and turn your driveway and sidewalk to the crispest concrete in the neighborhood.

NUMBERS MATTER Something often overlooked are the numbers on the side of your house. Whether it’s a potential buyer or the pizza guy, they are used to identify your house. Be sure to make certain that your address is legible and visible from a distance.

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