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News | Michigan

MICHIGAN

Drum class brings African culture to Lansing area

Kristyn Peterson
November 29, 2006

Lansing — Tom Machowicz's blue eyes opened wide with passion every time he spoke of the West African Malinké people during breaks from playing djembe at Magdalena's Tea House in Lansing. "Guinea is the poorest nation in the world, but it's probably the richest in drum music," he said. Machowicz spent a month in Guinea two years ago while studying traditional West African drum music. On Monday night, Machowicz taught the last of three $15 monthly classes to about 11 beginning drum players. Most of the participants played the djembe, a West African hand drum made of a tree trunk, metal rings, rope and goat skin.

MICHIGAN

Council to discuss possible ordinance banning homeless from parking structures

Kris Turner
November 28, 2006

A potential ordinance for homeless people residing in parking garages and a downtown redevelopment project are among the items being discussed by the East Lansing City Council at its meeting tonight. The council members are looking to create an ordinance, which would deal with homeless people who take residence in some of the city's parking structures. "The purpose of the council meeting is to find out what the council would like to do about it," Assistant City Attorney Tom Yeadon said.

MICHIGAN

Single Business Tax to be debated Wednesday

Lindsey Poisson
November 27, 2006

Michigan's Senate Finance Committee will hear testimony on tax replacements for the Single Business Tax on Wednesday afternoon. Michigan lawmakers have about two more weeks in this session to find a replacement for the hotly debated Single Business Tax, which is set to expire in 2007. Gov.

MICHIGAN

CDC: Get flu shot now to avoid sickness during winter season

Gabrielle Russon
November 27, 2006

This month is the time to get a flu shot before the influenza season hits in full force later this winter, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 77 million doses of the flu vaccine already have been distributed across the country, and East Lansing residents can get theirs at Olin Health Center. The vaccine has a subsidized price of $15 for MSU students. "I've always thought the really old and the really young were the ones who needed it," said Lisa McDonald, who is studying to be a doctor. The premedical sophomore said she has no intention of getting a flu shot.

MICHIGAN

Film festival to honor E.L.'s 100th birthday

Kris Turner
November 27, 2006

In honor of East Lansing's 100th birthday in 2007, the East Lansing Children's Film Festival is seeking submissions for its spring event. It's looking for live action or documentary films to be 30 seconds in length, suitable for all ages and submitted by Michigan residents.

MICHIGAN

Playboy model sneaks into city's Web site

Cash Kruth
November 27, 2006

When Lansing City Council Web site visitors view the council's newsletter, they ordinarily find information about how the council is amending its rules. But one click on the council's headlining link, and visitors will be sent to a pornographic Web site with a picture of a naked woman on the page. The Lansing City Council's Newsletter Web site at http://council.cityoflansingmi.com/cnews.html takes visitors to a photo of Feather Frazier baring it all in a 2002 photo for Playboy magazine.

MICHIGAN

MSU researchers turn secret police code into chemistry lab

Two MSU researchers took pages from a history book, unlocked East Germany's secret police code inscribed on them and turned the entire operation into an interactive chemistry lab — all the while making history. The pair, Lyman Briggs School science historian Kristie Macrakis and assistant professor of chemistry Ryan Sweeder, spent the last two years analyzing archives uncovered from the Stasi, the former East German secret police during the Cold War. The Stasi used a technique of printing hidden text on carbon paper infused with the chemical cerium oxalate, which was only visible after being activated by a separate chemical agent, Macrakis said. Macrakis received the declassified Stasi documents while she was studying in Germany before and after the Berlin Wall fell in 1989. "It's not just your magic pen; it's a lot more sophisticated," she said.

MICHIGAN

'Turkey' town to celebrate Thanksgiving

Gabrielle Russon
November 22, 2006

The name might be quirky, but in November, it's a perfect fit. Welcome to Turkey, Texas, one of three towns in United States named after the Thanksgiving table's star. "It's a pretty festive name," said 38-year-old Bud Ham on Tuesday afternoon. Ham works as a mechanic in Turkey. But there won't be any blown-out parades down the streets of Turkey on Thanksgiving.

MICHIGAN

Budget might cut education funding

Lindsey Poisson
November 21, 2006

Michigan schools might face unexpected cuts in this year's state budget. The state's House and Senate fiscal agencies' returns from 2006 tax receipts are about $130 million less than what was expected by lawmakers who created the 2007 budget. The 2007 fiscal budget went into effect Oct.

MICHIGAN

Polls, campaigns analyzed at post-election event

Lindsey Poisson
November 21, 2006

Proposal 2 had no chance of passing, despite some polls that showed the contrary, and voters lied in pre-election surveys to escape being "shamed and called racist, bigots and prejudiced," said one political analyst at a post-election discussion on Friday. The election wrap-up event at Kellogg Center featured three panels of pollsters, analysts and campaign representatives who discussed events leading up to the election.

MICHIGAN

Report reveals majors with top employment

Gabrielle Russon
November 20, 2006

Business, engineering and computer science graduates are among the group employers are hiring the most, according to a report released by MSU's Collegiate Employment Research Institute on Friday. "There are some sectors that are really hot," said Institute Director Phil Gardner. Gardner's survey, which includes information from 864 companies surveyed in September and October, showed a 5 percent increase in the market from last year. Many of the larger industries, especially the manufacturing sector, are hiring college graduates in entry-level positions to replace the older generation of workers who have recently taken buyouts or retired.

MICHIGAN

Library's missing statue recovered

After more than two months missing and only two days back home, the East Lansing Public Library's "Seated Girl" statue is already receiving well wishes from those who felt her absence. "Someone sent her two bouquets of flowers — she didn't get roses, but she has two vases of flowers on her lap," said Sylvia Marabate, director of the library.

MICHIGAN

Craze draws crowds

Brendan Bouffard
November 17, 2006

Okemos — Shane Ward has spent the past two days wearing a huge pair of mittens while sitting on concrete, huddled around three sleeping bags, two coats and several pizza boxes. With all the preparation, Ward was primed to get his hands on a PlayStation 3 after waiting in line outside Best Buy, 2020 W.