Immigrants not stealing American dream

During the dead of winter, my skin usually looks milky white. Sometimes I smooth and straighten my naturally curly locks.

'Vice' entertaining, original crime thriller

Michael Mann just may be one of the last great auteurs left in film today. Audience members know they won't be let down when they walk into the theater because this is a man who puts real effort into every shot of his film. From "Heat" to "Collateral," Mann has never been the type of director who really cares about how much money his film makes, and this might be why so many people respect his work. At least this is why, when I heard he was planning on doing a film version of the popular TV show "Miami Vice," I was both excited and nervous about the idea. I was excited because no director makes a crime thriller better than Mann, but worried because this film had a little more box-office appeal than Mann is used to. The film begins in a nightclub scene — which is quite reminiscent to the one seen in "Collateral" — and introduces Miami undercover cops Sonny Crockett (Colin Farrell) and Ricardo Tubbs (Jamie Foxx). These two actors do not come together to create the regular cliché buddy-cop pairing, where the two would seem more like a comedic duo than actual police. In "Miami Vice," Mann decides to portray these two as officers who are strictly business and 100 percent serious.

Professors find ways to predict student success

Grade-point averages and SAT scores can only do so much to predict student success at college. That's why two MSU professors researched other ways to anticipate how student life beyond the books plays into college performance. After looking at students' interests, background experiences and motivational characteristics from 10 universities during a four-year period, psychology professors Neal Schmitt, Frederick Oswald and a team of undergraduate and graduate students found predictors for student potential, including their likeliness to cheat, drop out of school and attend classes regularly. The College Board approached Schmitt and Oswald about conducting the study, which it plans to use to enhance college admissions.

Group's initiative targets spending

A ballot initiative that would limit state spending could be placed before voters in the Nov. 7 election. The initiative, created by the Michigan Stop Overspending Committee, would limit state growth every year by restricting government spending to the rate of inflation and population increases. The initiative also would prohibit state legislators from receiving state-funded pensions for life. If local governments want to spend more, they would have to put it before voters. "It lets people decide when they want to go beyond the rate of inflation," said Scott Tillman, a member of the committee. The organization turned in 503,000 signatures in early July, Tillman said. They need to have 317,757 certified signatures to be put on the November ballot, and the names are being reviewed by the Board of State Canvassers. Opponents of the initiative argue it would hurt cities and the state because spending decisions would have to be voted on, which would delay services. "A local unit of government can no longer say we can bond for that.

Police briefs 07/31/06

Preparing for disaster

Lansing — Surgical masks clung to dozens of bird flu victims aboard a blazing hot school bus Friday afternoon. Some were headed to Sparrow Hospital, others to Ingham County Regional Medical Center.

Girls not incapable of mastering math, science

Anton Frattaroli's letter, "Girls aren't better than boys, article lacks point," (SN 7/24), seems to be little more than a "girls aren't good at math" diatribe founded entirely on hearsay and chauvinism.

Owners to city council: Go slow

There's widespread unrest in the Cedar Village area. No, students aren't rushing into the streets, overturning cars and lighting fires. And no, police aren't launching cans of tear gas to break up late-night revelers. The mounting tension stems from property owners upset with the city of East Lansing's swift passage of portions of the East Village project — which calls for a massive overhaul of the entire 35-acre area. "The process in which they are going about it is at odds with the taxpayers and citizens of East Lansing," said Joe Maguire, president of Wolverine Development Corp., which owns the McDonald's restaurant at 1024 E.

The best of Lash Larrowe: Get me to Iran on time!

Reprinted from the May 2, 1980 edition of The State News I'm slithering on my belly commando-style through the bushes over by Beaumont Tower with a broomstick for a rifle last night, this campus cop spots me and comes charging on over. "OK buddy," he snarls, stickin' his .44 Magnum in my face.

Wayne State to host event protesting MCRI

A group of MSU students will travel to Detroit Saturday to participate in the Community Action Day to Defeat MCRI. The MCRI, or Michigan Civil Rights Initiative, is a proposal that would end preferential treatment for minorities in government and university programs if it's passed in November. The event will be held at Wayne State University and is organized by University Students United, or USU, a group of college students throughout Michigan concerned about the initiative. Erik Green, an MSU graduate student and member of USU, said the event aims to inspire others to speak out against the MCRI. "Our goal is to defeat the MCRI this fall," Green said.

The bartender

When not professing his inability to drive at posted speed limits — usually 55 mph — pop-metal wailer and erstwhile Van Halen front man Sammy Hagar is quite a fan of the sauce.

MSU to teach graphic media

After the planes crashed into the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, a graphic appeared in the New York Times showing where they hit and which floors were damaged.

Self-Defense Act promotes violence

Quick — think fast. What do you do when your life is in danger? If someone else is threatening your life, do you have the right to end theirs?

Memorial to be held for former teacher

East Lansing High School students and graduates will be holding a memorial concert for former teacher Juliet McQueen Dagbovie.

City missing artistic venues

From the recommendation of a good buddy, I finally watched Eli Roth's "Hostel." I believe her exact endorsement words were, "It's a porn for the first half and a bloodbath for the rest of the flick.

Metal made into art

Lansing — Douglas Thayer is a blacksmith. Not metaphorically or figuratively, not "in a sense," not as a nickname or a title he earned for being a hard worker in some white-collar profession, no.

Nutty business

Lansing — After 10 years of selling nuts in East Lansing, the owner of Chester's Nuts will be moving the shop to a more noticeable location in Lansing. The nut shop is moving to the Eastwood Towne Center from its former location at 412 Albert Ave.

Happenings

Friday Ted Leo and The Pharmacists The Jai-Alai Savant and Thunderbirds Are Now!

Court date set for alleged assailants

Two men charged with participating in an alleged Feb. 23 assault at Hubbard Hall are scheduled to continue their preliminary examinations in district court Friday afternoon, according to court records. MSU student Albert Reginald Robinson and nonstudent Joel Ross Hamlar began their preliminary examinations June 23 in the 54-B District Court in East Lansing, which lasted more than two hours before being adjourned. Robinson, 19, and Hamlar, 17, were arrested in connection with an alleged assault in Hubbard Hall, which involved three assailants — one with a handgun — threatening three occupants of a South Hubbard Hall room.

Police briefs 07/28/06