FEATURES

Alumnus makes short-lived appearance on 'Apprentice'

An MSU alumnus is once again caught in the reality television spotlight. Jason Curis, 24, graduated with a degree in advertising in 2001 and was in the running with 15 other businessmen and women for a year-long position at one of Donald Trump's companies on NBC's "The Apprentice." He follows Bob Guiney, a 1993 graduate who starred in ABC's "The Bachelor" and was a contestant on "The Bachelorette." Curis was "fired" by Donald Trump during the second episode of the highest-rated reality show because he was the leader of the men's team, VERSACORP, that again failed to surpass the business tactics of the women's team, PROTÉGÉ. "Trump is trump and does whatever he wants," Curis said. Hired or fired, Curis still believes he'll be as rich as Donald Trump some day. As a young entrepreneur, Curis already owns his own property-management company, JMG Management, with which he holds more than 39 properties. "I learned, first of all, do what you love to do," Curis said with confidence.

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'Floetry' mixes genres, breaks barriers

Megan Frye

January 20, 2004

When it comes to music genres, survival of the fittest holds true. Creationism vs. evolution in the human race is a hot topic that leaves questions on both sides of the fence, but in music it's evident it is evolution. Floetry does for soul music what Stevie Ray Vaughan did for the blues.

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Fast action, horrible plot

It's got motorcycles! It's got hot chicks in tight clothes! It's got loud music, gunfights, catfights, races, chases, explosions, one-liners, sex and murder! But one question remains: How could a movie with so many exciting elements be so dull? "Torque" is the latest in Hollywood's new obsession with fast cars, fast bikes and fast women.

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Festival organizers ask for student art

Rebecca Mcnulty

January 20, 2004

Student artists interested in showcasing their work in this year's 41st Annual East Lansing Art Festival should submit their entries by Feb.

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New releases

Megan Frye

January 20, 2004

JAZZ"Black Orchid," Al McKibbon, Label: Nine Yards The 85-year-old McKibbon can be heard in the background on albums such as Dizzy Gillespie's "In Paris," Thelonious Monk's "Genius of Modern Music, Vol.

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Audition to be held for 'Screech' openers

Rebecca Mcnulty

January 20, 2004

Auditions to become an opening comic for Dustin Diamond, best known for his role as the geeky "Screech" from TV's "Saved By The Bell," will be held from 6 to 9 p.m.

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'Mousetrap' a catch for local theater

Joe Guillen

January 20, 2004

The longest-running play in the world, 52 years to be exact, is precisely that - long. "The Mousetrap" opened at the Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbott Road, this past weekend, and despite the two and a half hour playing time, the classic whodunit was brought to life flawlessly by the Lansing Civic Players. "The Mousetrap," directed by Linda Granger, starts when five travelers become stranded by a harsh storm that forces them to take safety in Monkswell Manor.

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WKAR-TV welcomes its re-birth

Amy Davis

January 16, 2004

In 1954, no one knew how to get to Sesame Street, Mister Rogers didn't have a neighborhood and people couldn't fly anywhere without the Reading Rainbow. But all that changed when WKAR-TV broadcast its first test pattern for East Lansing. WKAR-TV, known for its educational children's, sports, public affairs and arts programs, welcomed the start of WKAR-DT's digital channel on Thursday at 11:07 a.m., at the precise time the station first hit the airwaves 50 years ago.

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Mayer brings his 'Wonderland' to Breslin

Megan Frye

January 16, 2004

The beloved singing, songwriting, guitar-playing John Mayer will bring his heartthrob-self to many screaming girls when he plays the Breslin Center on Mar.

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'21 Grams' provides emotional stimulant

"21 Grams," is exactly what a heavy drama should be. It's engrossing, poetic, intense (with little violence), emotionally enveloping, in-your-face and, at the same time, uplifting and depressing. Oh, and it's damn good.

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Best bets: Our picks for the weekend

Megan Frye  and  Lindsey Anderson

January 16, 2004

MUSIC • Celtic rock and rhythm group The Lash comes back to town Friday night at Moriarty's Pub, 802 E.

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'Daughter' brings hard punk rock attitude to life at Mac's

Megan Frye

January 14, 2004

After three years of life on the back burner, the New York punk band Daughter has been reborn. The project, founded in 1998 by bassist Nicole Lombardi and singer Mary Louise Platt, took a back seat while the two worked on their electronic venture, Spaulding Rockwell.

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Staying on a path to good health contains obstacles

The weight goes up and down. Eyes scan every food label left to right. Starting a "healthy" diet and trying to stay on a "good" food path often becomes an inescapable game.

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Look around 'U,' stupid behavior is everywhere

Hey, you. That's right, you verminous swine. I'm talkin' to you. You rotten bastard.

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Mindy Smith's debut has its 'moments'

Megan Frye

January 13, 2004

Most new country folk albums are hit-or-miss. While some turn out to be complete cream, others struggle to reach the consistency of skim milk.

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This week's new releases

Megan Frye

January 13, 2004

BLUES/JAZZ"B.B. King, Vol. 4," B.B. King, Ace"Southern in My Soul," Big George, Black & Tan"Enough Is Enough," Holland K.

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Ludacris scheduled to 'Disturb Tha Peace' at Breslin

Megan Frye

January 13, 2004

The Breslin Center will host two chart-topping rappers next month. On Feb. 29, Ludacris will promote his album "Chicken -N- Beer" with special guest Chingy, part of Ludacris' "Disturbing Tha Peace Family." Ludacris was recently nominated for two Grammy Awards, one for Best Rap Album for his second LP, "Word of Mouf," and one for Best Male Rap Solo Performance for "Rollout (My Business)." Both artists currently are sitting comfortably in the Billboard Top 20 R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and Singles lists. The show will start at 7:30 p.m.

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Memorable vacations are best spent on the couch

I absolutely hate it when people ask me what I did over vacation because, honestly, I never remember.

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'Ashes' reflects a surreal conversation

Joe Guillen

January 12, 2004

Riverwalk Theatre's newest Black Box production is somewhat like a puzzle on stage - frustrating, perplexing and, at the very end, rewarding.

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'My Baby's Daddy' just a deadbeat winter flick

Welcome to January - that magical time of year when Hollywood ushers in the new year by clearing the shelves of its misbegotten, sappy, stupid and just poorly conceived films and dumps them on an unsuspecting and ever-trusting audience. Occasionally, they're good.