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MICHIGAN

Tomorrow's Political Leaders gather to construct house for Habitat for Humanity

By Kristen Creager Special for The State News Lansing - On Saturday, a group of 30 aspiring politicians dug, hammered and hauled - getting dirty on their way up the political ladder. Members of the group Tomorrow's Political Leaders were building a Habitat for Humanity home as part of a volunteer project. Tomorrow's Political Leaders includes students and recent graduates of Michigan colleges who want to get involved in politics. The group participates in a two-week program at MSU that helps young people learn about becoming part of the political world. "I always wanted to run for office, but I didn't know how," said Catherine Fontana, a sophomore at Albion College and member of the group.

MICHIGAN

Police embark on 2-week seat-belt vigilance campaign

Jason Worthy
May 23, 2005

This summer, there will be more police officers in more locations looking to enforce Michigan's seat belt law. Today, the East Lansing Police Department is kicking off a statewide effort to maintain Michigan's safety belt use in 53 counties, including Ingham County. Enforcement zones on and off campus will be clearly marked with signs along with several officers in those zones making sure motorists are wearing their seat belts. Through June 5, area police will be out to enforce the Click It or Ticket campaign.

NEWS

E.L. festivals bring diverse art collections, large crowds

Bob Darrow
May 23, 2005

John Chumack likes to spend his time photographing distant stars and galaxies. The Dayton, Ohio native found himself much closer to earth this past weekend when he showcased his photography on the streets of East Lansing during the city's 42nd annual Art Festival. Chumack - whose telescopic images have been published in magazines such as Time, Newsweek and Science - was one of about 230 artists exhibiting their work at the festival. Chumack spends most of his time researching and photographing celestial bodies from his Ohio observatories but makes time for the occasional art festival. "I do the shows so that people can come in and see my work.

NEWS

Empire attire

Daniel Thai
May 23, 2005

Lansing - Mark Housepian, dressed as Anakin Skywalker, and his wife, dressed as herself, arrived 10 hours before "Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith" began at Celebration Cinema. "I want to name our first son Anakin, but she won't let me," he said. The couple were joined by Housepian's brother, Matt, dressed as Obi-Wan Kenobi, and the rest of the Housepian family, but unlike the brothers, they opted out of dressing the part. Mark said the pilgrimage to see "Star Wars" has become a family tradition and that they sat in the same seats three years ago when "Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones" was released. The Housepians were among many fans throughout the world who flocked to theaters Wednesday night with their lightsabers and blasters for the premiere of "Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith." General Manager Dan Boyer of Celebration Cinema, 200 E.

COMMENTARY

Schools should be teaching evolution

This is in response to the letter to the editor entitled, "Evolution covers life on Earth only" (SN 4/28). I would like to congratulate the author for stating the obvious - that evolution only covers the origin of life on Earth.

COMMENTARY

Cutting care

For those people fortunate enough to receive a college education, health care might be easy to take for granted.

MSU

SmartZone aids local technology companies

Lindsey Poisson
May 23, 2005

MSU faculty members will benefit from the Ingham County regional SmartZone, which will help them research and start their own companies and support businesses in early stages. The regional SmartZone is a designated area in which developing, technology-based businesses are "incubated," or fostered, by established corporations.

MICHIGAN

Children receive free bike helmets in local campaign

By Jennifer Dodyk Special for The State News Lansing - Seven-year-old Rahjae Flowers-Taylor was excited to try on his first bicycle helmet on Saturday. "If I fall, I won't hurt my head," he said. His mother, Nicole Flowers, 33, brought Rahjae and his two siblings to the Helmet Safety Campaign at Pleasant View Elementary School in Lansing, where the children were outfitted in free helmets. "I've been wanting to get them (a helmet), but I couldn't get them one because I didn't have the money," Flowers, of Lansing, said.

COMMENTARY

Bush not only one at fault for Iraq war

I would like to take this time to thank Herb Parlato for his political rhetoric letter to the editor "Bush hypocritical in Newsweek mistake" (SN 5/19). "President Bush and his PR group" did such a good job convincing us Iraq had weapons that President Clinton bombed Iraq for the same reason years before Bush even became president.

NEWS

Riot police will cost city about $190K

Kris Turner
May 23, 2005

The large-scale police force used during the April 2-3 disturbances is costing East Lansing more than 30 times the amount of property damage incurred during the evening's events. The city will shell out about $190,389 to cover the expenses of borrowing officers from other agencies, police overtime and clearing the streets of debris, a police report compiled at the request of the East Lansing City Council stated. About $5,775 in damage was caused by crowds of about 3,000, who police say flooded East Lansing streets after the men's basketball team lost to the University of North Carolina in the Final Four.

SPORTS

Women's Golf finishes 17th at NCAAs

Megan Homanick
May 23, 2005

The Women's Golf team didn't expect to win an NCAA title this season, but what they did do is gain valuable experience at this year's NCAA Championships at Sunriver, Ore., where they finished 17th out of 24 teams. "It was a great spring," head coach Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll said.

COMMENTARY

Budget bust

Tuesday's East Lansing City Council meeting resulted in a number of financial cuts and the passage of the 2005-06 fiscal year budget. Among the areas affected by the cuts include the police department, the East Lansing Public Library and the city's finance department. Funding for buying library books was cut by $50,000, but the burden was lessened when council members opted to add $33,200 to the library fund from other parts of the budget.

SPORTS

Men's Golf places 13th at Central regionals

Megan Homanick
May 23, 2005

The MSU Men's Golf team missed a chance to compete at the NCAA Championships, after finishing 13th in the Central Regional Championship this weekend at Notre Dame, Ind. The Spartans were one of 12 teams to have their first round delayed Thursday by thunderstorms, which pushed back tee times three-plus hours.

NEWS

E-mail pranks strike MSU

Amy Davis
May 23, 2005

MSU students who checked their e-mail in the last month might have been surprised to find messages from Men's basketball coach Tom Izzo and President George W.

MSU

People with disabilities take part in sports

Alex Abate
May 23, 2005

Like many other kids, 13-year-old Anthony Town enjoys playing table tennis and cycling. This weekend, he had an opportunity to do these events and more as he participated in the Michigan Sports Festival for Athletes with Physical Disabilities. Town was one of many people with cerebral palsy who competed in the festival on campus at IM Sports-West and Demonstration Hall, put on by the Michigan Disability Sports Alliance. The athletes are members of teams that compete in various events such as bocce ball, table tennis, cycling and swimming. "This event gives me a chance to play sports that I would not get to do in school," Town said. Town has a less severe case of the disorder, which disrupts the development of motor skills and can be a result of a brain injury. "I feel very fortunate that I can do most of the things that normal people do," said Town.