3 animals die at Potter Park Zoo

Two stray dogs allegedly killed three Patagonian cavies, large rodents from South America, on Thursday night at the Potter Park Zoo, 1301 S.

Innovations: Understanding West Nile

Name: Professor Ned Walker Department name: Microbiology and Molecular Genetics Type of research: Determining why there are higher rates of West Nile virus infections in certain types of communities. Date of research: The study began in 2004 and will end in 2007.

Puppy primping

A four-year university education is not for everyone, especially if fur is your forte. The Michigan School of Canine Cosmetology, 3022 S.

'Automatic City' complex, monotonous

Given its bustling and complex arrangements, the title of the new album by Controlling the Famous is appropriately metropolitan. Like rush hour on a Los Angeles freeway, there's little room to move on "Automatic City," with tracks packed end to end and knotty guitar lines, interwoven vocal melodies and surging bass and drumming that would make an octopus' arms tired. Unfortunately, the album has another thing in common with the grind of urban traffic — monotony.

Art gallery walk to be held at public library

The East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbott Road, will be holding a gallery walk from July 1-31. The gallery walk will feature oil and acrylic paintings by artist Pat Londy, which were made over 10 years. The walk will take place in the North Foyer Art Gallery of the library and is sponsored by the Friends of the East Lansing Public Library. A reception will be held July 8 from 1:30-4 p.m. For more information, contact art exhibit director Pat Rist at (517) 351-6414.

The bartender

Jack Bauer, hero of the popular TV show "24" is smooth, chill and refreshing. He's also deadly, with the ability to knock you out before you even realize what's happening. The drink named after his likeness plays the same game. The Riviera Cafe Restaurant and Lounge, 231 M.A.C.

Police briefs 06/16/06

City plans for 12-story building to replace lot

Taking a bite of her Greek salad, Jenny Wein took a moment to peer down Ann Street and soak in the "beauty" of MSU's campus. A 2005 alumna, Wein said one of the things she enjoyed most about MSU was its natural setting. "All of the nature around here makes it wonderful," she said. If plans to construct a 12-story building on the Albert Avenue parking lot are approved by the East Lansing City Council at some point this year, the majesty of campus could be overshadowed, Wein said. The 154-space lot could contain three floors of parking, stores, restaurants and nine stories of high-end rental housing or condominiums. "City Center is one of the bigger reasons I think it will work," said Mike Bailey, the project's potential developer and owner of City Center Partners, LLC.

Watch out, consumer prices on the rise

It's hard not to complain about gas prices. After years of a seemingly stable gasoline market, we are quick to complain about growing prices.

America doesn't look like a country at war; daily lives seem untouched

Sometimes real life can feel like reality television. Although I'm not living in some sick immaculate loft, with five intentionally good-looking roommates with All-American bodies chiseled in sharp angles and donning perfectly white teeth lined like impeccable soldiers, there's still a certain sense of falsity in life these days I can't ignore. This isn't MTV.

Juneteenth

Cheers rang through the streets of Galveston, Texas, that fateful June 19, nearly 150 years ago. Although the Emancipation Proclamation abolished slavery in 1863, those in Western states had either not heard about the law, or it wasn't enforced until Union Maj.

Parks get face-lift

The Friends of Ingham County Parks received a donation of about $9,500 that will be used to improve the facilities at parks throughout the county. The donation came from the Capital Region Community Foundation, a charity formed in 1987 that has been funding initiatives to benefit communities in Ingham, Eaton and Clinton counties. The Friends of Ingham County Parks is a non profit organization whose volunteers help the Ingham County Parks Department in various projects. The parks will use about $3,100 to purchase 16 new wheelchairs to be distributed among Lake Lansing, Hawk Island and Burchfield county parks, said Pat Witte, the Lake Lansing Park manager. "These are the first set of wheelchairs in these parks that will be available for public use," Witte said, adding that they should be available by the end of June or in early July. Nearly $3,300 of the donation will be used to purchase and install shade kites in Hawk Island Park. "There are not a lot of tree canopies in Hawk Island," Witte said.

Jazz Festival expands to 2 days

In jazz, improvisation is a tool — a musical technique as vital as the notes themselves. This year, the Summer Solstice Jazz Festival will attempt to add a little improvisation to the city of East Lansing.

Happenings

FRIDAY World Cup soccer games televised live at the MSU International Center Food Court.

Granholm blames Bush for Michigan's problems

Jennifer Granholm needs to step up and take responsibility for her actions as Michigan's governor.

Trustees, committee to vote on scholarship

A scholarship for English majors studying creative writing will be voted on for recommendation by the MSU Trustee Finance and Audit Committee today. The scholarship came in the form of a $30,000 donation by Arthur Athanason, an English professor who died at 70 years old in September 2005 after battling pancreatic cancer. Athanason, who taught playwriting and other literature classes, wrote in his will that he wanted to establish a scholarship for students with strong academic and professional goals in creative writing. "He was diagnosed with terminal cancer and knew this was a legacy he could establish after he passed away," said Kristin Peterson, director of development for the College of Arts and Letters.

Unnecessary course packs waste students' money

I'm annoyed with professors who write "course packs" and then require students to purchase them.

WEB EXTRA: Board approves planning for updates to athletic facilities

The MSU Board of Trustees voted to authorize planning of renovations and expansions to Wharton Center, Old College Field, the Duffy Daugherty Football Building and Jenison Field House at its meeting Friday. Plans must be drawn up and brought before the board before any construction can take place. Michael Brand, executive director of the Wharton Center, said the changes — which include more dressing rooms and rehearsal space — would help make the facility better equipped for large productions such as The Lion King. The board also heard about changes that could come to the athletic facilities. Greg Ianni, senior associate director of athletics, presented a video that is being used to attract donations for the renovations to Old College Field.

'Now You Are One Of Us' engages listeners with eerie originality

If you're looking to make a zombie flick, then you may want to talk to The Paper Chase about the soundtrack. The tunes on "Now You Are One Of Us" sound like an evil man with long fingernails trying to break into an eerie, abandoned Victorian house on the wrong side of town. Screaming guitar blasts, creepy samples, cryptic lyrics and incessant drumming define the band's overall sound.

Knowledge, access to health care is key to curbing breast cancer in black women

A couple of weeks ago, a colleague walked into a meeting late, her eyes shaded by dark sunglasses even though she was inside.