Wednesday, May 19,2010

Knocked down

A couple of years and a Facebook group later, Lansing resident kisses eyesore goodbye

by Neal McNamara

Since Orlich moved onto Princeton Street five years ago, the house at 735 Princeton has been a problem. At first, the people living there were a nuisance, attracting the attention of the cops. Then, when those people moved out, they left a litter of puppies behind.

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Wednesday, May 19,2010

Virg Watch

The varied travelings of Virg

by Neal McNamara

Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero has spent a lot of time traveling in the last week. He started out last Wednesday in Mt. Clemens at a gubernatorial forum at Central Michigan State University hosted by Michigan Radio, the Detroit Free Press and the League of Conservation Voters. Bernero came out...

Tuesday, May 18,2010

KIDS IN THE HALL

by Neal McNamara

Thanks to a last minute session of sausage making Monday night, Lansing City Council came to a compromise on city employee salary cuts and approved the $109 million city budget unanimously with no malarkey — though there were a few grudged “yes” votes.Council held l...

Wednesday, May 12,2010

Premium channels

Lansing close to giving out grants for cable access, moving forward on a cable access studio

by Neal McNamara

Luckily, the city of Lansing is getting its Pro-Cyc wall for about $5,000 less than the retail price. Instead of buying the piece of equipment directly from Pro-Cyc, Lansing was able to scoop up a floor model used by the company only once for a broadcasters conference in Las Vegas.

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Wednesday, May 12,2010

Virg Watch

Another scuffle with Dillon, and a Michigan Chamber of Commerce appearance

by Neal McNamara

Gubernatorial candidate Virg Bernero has had an interesting week: He filed a couple thousand petitions to run for governor, saw the Democratic side of the governor’s race winnowed from three to two, and lashed out at his opponent, Andy Dillon, and an news website.Bernero campaign spo...

Tuesday, May 11,2010

KIDS IN THE HALL

Untangling Knapp's building incentives, and Council budget blues

by Neal McNamara

The package of state, local and federal loans, grants and tax incentives being assembled to help out the Eyde Co.’s $23 million renovation of the Knapp’s building in downtown Lansing is, in a word, confusing. One city official called it “alphabet soup” (and some mem...

Monday, May 10,2010

Eye candy! of the week

by Neal McNamara

Properties: 320, 326 Ottawa St., Lansing Owner: Dave Anderson and Cathy Stull Assessed: 320, $62,900; 326, $138,500 Owner says: “They were the last two row houses left” Architecture critic Amanda Harrell-Seyburn says: In the shadow of the Capitol stand the treasured Emery Houses whose architecture is evocative of Lansing’s Victorian era.

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Friday, May 7,2010

Virg Watch

The difference between Mayor Virg and candidate Virg

by Neal McNamara

What’s the difference between Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero, and Michigan gubernatorial candidate Virg Bernero? Well, when it comes to making his stance on issues public, spokesmen for both sides of Bernero’s political life say, not much.On Tuesday, both the mayor’s office a...

Wednesday, May 5,2010

Letter from Ernie Harwell

Realizing the legend of a baseball legend

by Neal McNamara

Almost exactly a year ago, I had the chance to interview a baseball legend, and I barely knew it.Last April, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan was floating around a press release saying that someone named Ernie Harwell would be in Lansing and be available for press interviews.Upon rea...

Wednesday, May 5,2010

Ashtray shrine

On its first day, smoking ban brings frustration, fresh air

by Neal McNamara

On Saturday night at around 8 inside Piazzano’s restaurant and bar in north Lansing, the Alabama Crimson Tide girls’ softball team closed a scoreless first inning against the Tennessee Vols, and bartender John DeMarco inhaled smoke-free air for the first time in many years.

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