New book highlights benefits of clutter

By Sara Isaac McClatchy Newspapers Orlando. MCT — Solange Dao wishes she were neater. Her desk at her small engineering firm in Orlando has so many piles of paper on it that she has turned an adjacent chair into an additional "filing" area. "This morning I had an interview come in, and he walked in and I kind of turned around and looked at my desk, and I thought, 'He must think I'm crazy,'" Dao said. Not only is Dao not crazy — she's exhibiting good business sense, according to Columbia University management Professor Eric Abrahamson. Yes, it's January — National Get Organized Month and International Business Resolutions Month.

University students to offer education about climate changes, future impact

ECO, a student "sustainability organization" on campus, is hosting a "Week of Action" to inform the MSU community of the effects of climate change and how people can make a difference. Today, the group will be roving across campus to interview students about their thoughts on global warming.

Columnist relishes off-campus life from checkered dorm past

Calling all Spartans, calling all brothers and sisters under Christ — today I offer you a path to salvation. It's time to break free from the shackles of mundane afternoons and women-less evenings.

Tax plans could start political feud

The Republican Party kick-started a cat-and-mouse game Thursday. It announced a proposal, which will cut the state's primary business tax by $290 million, just a few weeks before Gov.

Bernero satisfied with state of city

Lansing — The perfect medicine for Lansing's struggling economy is a heavy dose of high-tech jobs, said Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero on Monday night in his second State of the City address. "One year ago, in my first State of the City address, I called on the people of Lansing to believe in our city, to join me in helping Lansing become one of the great Midwestern capital cities," he said.

New book highlights benefits of clutter

By Sara Isaac McClatchy Newspapers Orlando. MCT — Solange Dao wishes she were neater. Her desk at her small engineering firm in Orlando has so many piles of paper on it that she has turned an adjacent chair into an additional "filing" area. "This morning I had an interview come in, and he walked in and I kind of turned around and looked at my desk, and I thought, 'He must think I'm crazy,'" Dao said. Not only is Dao not crazy — she's exhibiting good business sense, according to Columbia University management Professor Eric Abrahamson. Yes, it's January — National Get Organized Month and International Business Resolutions Month.

ASMSU wants you (to fill its empty seats)

You have the ability to affect the lives of more than 35,000 people. Ten seats are open on Academic Assembly and 22 are vacant on Student Assembly, which make up ASMSU, MSU's undergraduate student government. With student government elections drawing near and university groups and colleges without representation, ASMSU officials are seeking people who can help guide the future of the university. The assemblies are made up of representatives from groups for minority students, every degree-granting college in the university and major student government groups.

Experts interpret obsessive tendencies

Every one of Jonathan DeGorter's DVDs has a specific place, as they're neatly arranged in alphabetical order. But one time, his friend borrowed a DVD from the systematic collection — and lost it. "No one knew who had my DVD," the food science junior said.

Stanton to represent MSU in skills contest

Senior quarterback Drew Stanton has been selected to represent MSU today in the College Football All-Star Challenge in Miami. Stanton earned team MVP honors last season after tossing 17 touchdowns for 2,252 total yards.

Police briefs 01/30/07

Definition of human life needs to be determined

In response to "Medical advances in embryonic stem cell research needed today" (SN 1/24), embryonic stem cell research is defensible only when life is viewed as a commodity and when the losses of individual lives are spoken of in terms of a "net loss." It is indisputably wrong to murder an innocent person and steal his or her organs for transplants to save the lives of five others.

Spartans remain in conference hunt

While the bye week was a restful one, the MSU hockey team did more moving than it would have liked. The Spartans, who have 25 points in the CCHA so far this year, dropped from third to fourth in the league standings during their idle weekend, while Michigan surpassed MSU with a pair of conference wins. "It doesn't really matter until all games have been played," MSU head coach Rick Comley said.

City offers trees to combat harmful bug

To combat the emerald ash borer's effects in Mid-Michigan, East Lansing residents can reserve a tree to plant in their yards, beginning Thursday. As part of the Restoration of Our Trees program, sponsored by the city of East Lansing, 200 trees are available for purchase by residents.

Exercise best method to fight seasonal doldrums

After reading the article "Winter Blues" (SN 1/23), I was surprised and disappointed not to find a single mention of the positive effects of exercise, despite the promise of "experts" weighing in on the subject. Studies have shown that following a healthy diet and getting regular exercise raises serotonin levels and alleviates some symptoms of depression.

Belief in a God does not quarantee your salvation

The purpose of my previous letter, "Religious influence alters scientific developments" (SN 1/24), was not solely as a reply to Joe O'Connell's, "Column shows ignorance in logic-based argument" (SN 1/19), which is why I didn't respond to his letter's overall meaning.

West Mich. med school to increase enrollment

The state of Michigan will be greatly affected by a shortage of primary care physicians nationwide during the next 20 years. And it's up to MSU to counterattack this threat to the medical field, said Denise Holmes, assistant dean for the College of Human Medicine. The Association of American Medical Colleges, which accredits MSU's College of Human Medicine, forecasted an influx of physicians almost six years ago, but an aging baby boomer generation caused experts to reverse their prediction one year later. The association asked medical schools throughout the nation to increase enrollment by 30 percent by 2015 to combat the expected shortage, which seems to be a "very challenging but reasonable target," said Edward Salsberg, who heads the association's Center for Workforce Studies. "We have solid data that older Americans over 65 use twice as many services," Salsberg said.

MSU wrestling downs U-M in Sunday meet

The No. 23 MSU wrestling team defeated No. 17 Michigan Sunday at Jenison Field House to win the overall meet, 21-17, and claim its first dual win over U-M since 2003. Senior brothers Nick and Andy Simmons put the Spartans ahead early, 15-0, but five match wins by the Wolverines put the Maize and Blue back in the picture near the end. With the Spartans hanging on to a slim 18-17 lead, the final decision came down to a double-overtime final match when freshman Alan O'Donnell defeated U-M's Omar Maktabi, 2-1, to secure the victory. "That was the biggest win of my career," O'Donnell said in a written statement.

MSU plays Illinois tonight

Saturday's near-win at No. 5 Ohio State showed the MSU men's basketball team's tenacity, but tonight's game against Illinois might be a better indicator of the Spartans' resolve. Less than 72 hours removed from their extremely dramatic and taxing comeback against the Buckeyes, the Spartans (17-5 overall, 4-3 Big Ten) will need to find a way to rebound quickly against the struggling but dangerous Fighting Illini (15-8, 3-5), who are playing to resuscitate their fading postseason bid. "This is where you really make a statement, or you really grow up, or you really have a turning point," head coach Tom Izzo said Monday at his weekly press conference.

Fit like a glove

Metallic threads, pompoms and "one size fits all" tags are a good indication your gloves need a makeover.

Fingernails, ties rate high as bacteria habitats

What do fancy fake nails, shiny rings and elegant, patterned ties have in common? All are accessories — that double as inconspicuous hideaways for germs. Bacteria accumulates on ties and gets trapped underneath rings and long nails, making it easier for germs to spread, said Chris Farnum, medical director of infection control at Ingham Regional Medical Center. "There was a study published last year … an editorial talking about the vast number of organisms (found on) ties," Farnum said.