MSU riding high into exhibitioner

MSU hockey head coach Rick Comley couldn't ask for a better start to the season. Last weekend, the Spartans went on the road and won the Lefty McFadden Invitational tournament in Dayton, Ohio with commanding victories against Wayne State and North Dakota, last year's national runner-up. It's the first time the Spartans have won their first two games since the 2001-02 season. "I always like to start two and zero," Comley said. The Spartans (2-0-0 overall) will hit the ice again at 7 p.m.

Web site gets Spartans moving

As a collaboration between Olin Health Center, Healthy U and the IM Sports system, a new Web site has been launched to promote exercise and nutrition for members of the MSU community. The Web site offers links to physical activity programs and events that are occurring not only on MSU's campus, but also in the East Lansing community, said Healthy U coordinator Nancy Allen.

Ringer the person remains a mystery

Running backs coach Ben Sirmans can only laugh when asked if he had any part in Javon Ringer's "coming out party" three weeks ago at Illinois, more specifically his zip downfield for 59 yards. "I wish I could say I had some magical drill but that's just him being him, fitting through a hole," Sirmans said.

MSU's offense might outlast Ohio State

Quarterback Both quarterbacks, MSU junior Drew Stanton and Ohio State's Troy Smith have scrambling abilities, but Stanton has proven to be the better passer. Smith, though, will take off more often than Stanton will if flushed out of the pocket, and he will probably have plenty of room to run.

Paid getaway

It's nice of ASMSU, MSU's student government, to have students foot the bill for their "retreat" this weekend. The members must be preparing to be more like some officials in Congress.

Hip-hop expressions

Slowly a blank, blue canvas on the side of Beggar's Banquet and Rick's American Café was transformed with aerosol paint on Thursday into an image of color and shapes to represent hip-hop and the scientific aspects behind it. Three artists worked side by side to create the 28 foot by 12 foot graffiti-style painting called "School of Hip Hop 101." The mural near Abbott Road was intended to show a variety of images including a DJ spinning records, a break-dancer, Albert Einstein and a city's urban landscape. Tobias France, one of the artists, said there are many elements of hip-hop involving formulas and equations, which people do not normally associate with the culture. "What we are trying to do is combine education with hip-hop," he said.

Atonement marks end of holy days

As the people around her chatted, Dina Shnaider sat quietly on a couch waiting for activities to start Wednesday at Hillel Jewish Student Center, 360 Charles St. The pharmacology and toxicology graduate student was there to observe Yom Kippur and said being there during the Jewish holiday made her miss family in her native Israel. "Traditionally, you celebrate with your family," Shnaider said, adding that she has spent the last three years away from home during this time.

Seniors get ready for final hurrah

Mickey Davis, Brooke Langston, Megan Wallin and Marley Bellwood came into MSU together. They learned to play volleyball at a college level together.

The happenings

Films opening this weekend: "Elizabethtown," starring Orlando Bloom, Kirsten Dunst and Susan Sarandon.

Police-student forum sees low attendance

ASMSU member Melissa Horste said she plans to work with East Lansing and MSU police officers to reschedule a meeting for students to come and discuss issues with police after low publicity generated a weak turnout on Wednesday. Five officers from the East Lansing and MSU police departments went to the Communication Arts and Sciences Building on Wednesday night to hear students' concerns, but no students came to ask questions. The only students present were Horste, director of community affairs for ASMSU's Student Assembly — who helped coordinate the event — and journalism junior Kevin Lehman, who was covering the event for a class. Horste said she hoped the reason no one came was because there wasn't enough advertising for the meeting. East Lansing police Chief Tom Wibert and Horste discussed having a meeting in Wonders Hall and offering refreshments next time. "We'll learn from this," Horste said.

Granholm talks economics with locals

Lansing — Gov. Jennifer Granholm met with a group of MSU students and area residents Wednesday to discuss her economic plan to stimulate job growth throughout the state. Granholm asked each person on the panel about how they would alter the state's economy — some suggested combining education with job training while others wanted a plan to make sure their children could attend college. "What would you do if you were me," Granholm said.

Writer misses Darfur in list of world tragedies

Thanks for printing Elissa Englund's column "News coverage of disasters bent to hit home, loses humanity" (SN 10/3) about tragedies around the world that are ignored by Americans.

WEB ONLY: RHA elects new vice president

From staff reports Anthropology junior James Thorpe was elected vice president of the Residence Halls Association during its meeting Wednesday night. The position opened in late September with the resignation of former RHA Vice President David Sahlin.

'Good' Christians don't listen to others, judge

Kristen Horner in her letter "Christian hell warning not form of terrorism" (SN 10/3) brings up the main beef I have against some Christians: They refuse to accept or even respect other points of view.

Police briefs 10/13/05

MSU hopes late-night practice helps break 3-game losing skid

The lights at the MSU Field Hockey Complex don't usually stay lit overnight, but this past weekend was a bit different. After its 4-2 loss to Connecticut on Saturday, the MSU field hockey team started practicing at 12:01 on Sunday morning — the earliest available time that the NCAA would permit — in preparation for today's battle at 4 p.m.

Group close to offering April 2-3 suggestions

The independent commission reviewing the April 2-3 disturbances and the police response will meet today to discuss an introduction for the report they will submit to the East Lansing City Council. The commission is meeting from 8 a.m.

No problem justifying Creationism, need faith

There is no fundamental conflict between theories of evolution and several theories of intelligent design.

Bucking back

Don't call it a comeback. The relaxed and down-home themes of country music and the rural lifestyle associated with it are making a resurgence in popular music and even fashion, but experts say country's been consistent. "If you look around, people are wearing straw hats and country music itself is making a crossover into the mainstream, with more country musicians hitting the pop charts and going No.

The bartender

Everybody has had sherbet at one time in their lives. However, you may never have thought to try serving sherbet at one of your parties.