'Over the Hedge' lacks imagination, maturity

Nobody expects family films to be groundbreaking. Entertaining? Yes. Cute? Sure. Chock full of jokes about flatulence?

Donate responsibly, check pro-science stance first

When Microsoft Corp. became a multi-billion dollar enterprise, I used to talk about how much I despised Bill Gates.

Philosopher's legacy travels home to Moscow

In the MSU Main Library, important works are a dime a dozen. But the manuscripts and personal writings of Russian philosopher Ivan Il'in are harder to come by. MSU library officials returned Il'in's collection to Russian representatives of President Vladimir Putin and other significant scholars in a formal ceremony Monday.

City council falls short of votes for override

The City Council failed Monday night to muster the six votes needed to override Mayor Virg Bernero's veto of the Lansing city budget. Five members — Council President Harold Leeman, Vice President Brian Jeffries, Carol Wood, Sandy Allen and Randy Williams — voted to override the veto.

FDA to possibly OK HPV vaccine

Women and girls may soon be able to further protect themselves from cervical cancer if the Food and Drug Administration approves a new vaccine next month. On Thursday, an FDA advisory committee endorsed the safety and effectiveness of Gardasil in a unanimous decision.

Revamping of Virginia block part of meeting

A plan to demolish all homes on the 600 block of Virginia Avenue is another attempt by city officials to shaft students, said Brian Feldpausch, a renter whose house could be leveled by next spring. "I feel like East Lansing is ignoring most of the residents who are students," the 23-year-old said.

Professor's derogatory e-mail misses target, accidentally promotes diversity

Before addressing Professor Indrek Wichman's statements in both his e-mail to the Muslim Students' Association, or MSA, and his letter printed in The State News ("Prof.

Immigrants negatively affect American jobs

I'm writing in response to the "Immigration larger problem for U.S." editorial, (SN 5/18). I take issue with the notion that "much of the economy depends upon the work of immigrants," as if they are an intractable part of our societal fabric. These jobs were done before illegal immigrants arrived en masse, depressed wages and forced Americans out. Does anyone really believe that prior to the 1986 amnesty and subsequent explosion of illegal aliens entering our country, that there were no hotel rooms cleaned, no lawns mowed or no dishes washed? Also, the failure to embrace the Central American Free Trade Agreement, or CAFTA, and the North American Free Trade Agreement, or NAFTA, by Latin American governments is irrelevant to this argument, as the massive waves of illegal aliens preceded these agreements. Nothing these governments do can create a better life for their people in those countries than they would otherwise have in the United States, and that is why they continue to come and why we should bolster our efforts to keep them out. Geoff Woliner 2002 graduate

MSU-Notre Dame football game to air on ABC

This season, the Spartans' home football game against rival Notre Dame will be nationally televised by ABC.

Exciting acting missing in 'Da Vinci Code'

The novel was better than the film. But what's new? Because Dan Brown's fictional tale "The Da Vinci Code" had to be stripped down to the bare bones to fit into an acceptable length of time, the level of suspense in the film was considerably less than the novel's. The action wasn't able to build upon itself because the scenes quickly flicked between the most important aspects of the plot.

Council to consider compromise with mayor

The Lansing City Council could decide tonight whether to forge a compromise with Mayor Virg Bernero regarding the city budget, or to override the mayor's veto.

WEB EXTRA: Safety event gives bicycle helmets to adults, children

The Michigan Trial Lawyers Association held its seventh annual Helmet Safety Campaign across the state of Michigan on Saturday, promoting helmet and bike safety to kids and adults alike. Lansing was one of 12 cities in Michigan that hosted this event.

E.L. library to show 'Pride and Prejudice'

The East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbott Road, will show a screening of "Pride and Prejudice" at 1 p.m.

Pistons advance

Every head was arched up toward one of the five large T.V. screens at Buffalo Wild Wings, 360 Albert Ave., Sunday during the Detroit Pistons' Game 7 in the playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers. "We expected at least this crowd," said General Manager Aaron Weiner amid the packed bar.

Massive police force out of control, worse than Nazis

Attending the April 22 Nazi rally in the state capital gave me a lot to worry about. But the small group of quaintly clad National Socialists was not one of them. The really disturbing aspect of the event was the close-to-500, helmeted, black-clad and fully armored police force who used the event to showcase the new police state being built around us.

Bravo not alone in receiving violations

According to a public record of its most recent health inspection, Bravo Cucina Italiana was cited with eight critical violations, an amount nearly twice as many as health department officials consider a "failing grade." But some restaurant employees and health officials say that number of violations is not unique among restaurant health inspections. Bravo, 2970 Towne Centre Blvd., voluntarily closed its doors on May 11 after the Ingham County Health Department informed management that several Bravo customers had gotten sick.

Women's basketball loses player to Gonzaga

The MSU women's basketball team is switching its talent this year. Freshman Tiffanie Shives announced that she will be transferring from MSU to Gonzaga.

Police briefs 05/22/06

Music, sun bring out large crowd

It may be too early to tell, but festival coordinator Sharon Radtke estimated that 75,000 to 80,000 people attended the 43rd East Lansing Art Festival. While the festival's official estimate — made with the aid of aerial photography — was not available at press time, Radtke said "(on Saturday) the area was filled from noon to close." Radtke did have a way of measuring how many people visited the festival's children's area on Saturday, as 1,000 balloons were given away throughout the day.

Officers: 'Buckle up or pay up'

Before putting the car in drive, remember the most basic tenet of driver's education. Buckle up. Police departments all over Michigan, including East Lansing and MSU police, will make it a priority to look for drivers not wearing their seat belts for the next two weeks. Officers will give tickets carrying a $65 fine to unbelted drivers. From today to June 4, which includes Memorial Day weekend, the "Buckle Up or Pay Up, Click It or Ticket" program will include about 800 areas with signs notifying drivers they are entering seat belt enforcement areas.