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.

Police briefs 06/15/06

Soccer gaining popularity in U.S.

So the U.S. doesn't like soccer, and soccer doesn't necessarily like the U.S. Well, you might be able to say that for a couple more years — but not for long. It's only a matter of time before soccer becomes the most popular sport to play and watch in the U.S.

AAA to offer glass repair service Friday

From 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on Friday, residents can have stone chips in their windshields fixed, have their Vehicle Identification Number etched on glass surfaces on their cars and/or get a "state-of-the-art" Child ID in the parking lot of the AAA headquarters, 2829 E.

Official language shouldn't be issue of most concern

Jeff Wiggins, a history senior speaking for the angry conservatives, replied in his letter "English should be official language for United States," (SN 6/12), to my letter, "English as official U.S.

Gender equity in public education is necessary

The discussion about separating girls and boys into gender-specific classrooms for math and science classes in Michigan public schools is another clear example of a "Band-Aid" fix to recently come out of Lansing. State Board of Education Superintendent Mike Flanagan recently stated there's nothing wrong with exploring the option. I can agree with being open to exploring ideas, but to suggest that by segregating the sexes, "women get more involved, they answer questions and are more active" without males around does not take into account the reasons why that may be accurate.

Mich. to be added to discount oil program

Lansing — Low-income families throughout the state will be spending less to keep warm this winter, as Michigan will be included in a Venezuelan program that sells heating oil at a 40 percent discount. Heating oil is a petroleum product used primarily in space heaters by about 8.1 million Americans, according to the Energy Information Administration Web site. Venezuelan Ambassador Bernardo Alvarez made the commitment Wednesday during a breakfast reception at the Capitol, kicking off his daylong tour of Lansing and Detroit. "The Heating Oil Assistance Program reflects the commitment of the Venezuelan government to help America — especially poor families — so they can afford heating oil when there is an energy crisis," Alvarez said.

Torture statement ignores war

Warfare implies death. It's not shocking that the idea of war revolves around the death of people fighting on both sides. While as a society we have been quick to accept the fact that the act of war nearly guarantees the loss of soldiers' and civilians' lives, we have a different view when it comes to torture. When pictures of prisoners at Abu Ghraib first surfaced, the American people responded with shock.

MSU to study spirituality's effect on cancer patients

Finding a possible link between spirituality and health will be the focus of a study by MSU researchers beginning in September. Michael Boivin, associate professor of neurology and ophthalmology and principal investigator in the study, will use a $1 million grant from the Templeton Advanced Research Program to study the connection between spirituality and breast cancer patients' resilience throughout chemotherapy. "I think we are finally at a point in human history where we have the tools to adequately explore the relationship between (spirituality and health)," Boivin said.