Captain with colorful business past turns boating into a family affair

Strong winds and drizzling rain didn't deter guests Saturday night from stepping aboard the Michigan Princess and embarking on a three-hour cruise down the banks of the Grand River. As nearly 30 guests shook the water from their umbrellas and walked through the illuminated dining hall on the first deck of the old-fashioned riverboat, a man wearing a white captain's hat and uniform warmly greeted them and showed them to their seats.

Critics of liberals need to 'lighten up'

Kudos to John Bice's display of common sense with his column "Columnist clears up misconceptions on Bush, religion, voting trends" (SN 11/23). It's a shame that the difference between intolerance and criticism needs to be drawn out in crayon for some. Common sense always seems to typify those little nuggets of hypocrisy that liberals like myself might notice about the right.

Lansing confidential

In recent months, federal courts have found several journalists in contempt for not revealing the identities of anonymous sources, but reporters in Lansing aren't balking. In light of recent criminal contempt charges against Rhode Island broadcast journalist Jim Taricani and civil contempt charges against Judith Miller of The New York Times for not revealing the identities of sources during investigations, WLAJ-TV and WLNS-TV reporters in Lansing said they haven't changed their reporting strategies. "We will still continue to go and cover what we feel is necessary," said Jim Fordyce, news director for WLAJ-TV, in Lansing.

Recent cabinet resignations do not bode well for Bush's second term

As forethought to this column, it's important to express that although the election outcome was unfortunate, I believe it's necessary to move forward.

Group looks to create new South Asian fraternity at 'U'

Promoting South Asian culture and brotherhood are two goals of a campus group working to create a new fraternity chapter at MSU. Bringing Alpha Iota Omicron to MSU will help organize and unite South Asian male students on campus, said members of South Asian Fraternity Interest Organization, or SAFIO. "The last couple of years, it's been a very informal setting, not an organized network of individuals," said Devesh Poddar, SAFIO president and political science and accounting senior.

Retailers: Weekend sales met projections

After-Thanksgiving holiday sales met the expectations of most local businesses as shoppers rushed for weekend deals, despite wintry weather. Merchants at Eastwood Towne Center in Lansing Township were pleased with the weekend's business, said senior property manager Brad Wick. "Our weekend was pretty normal," Wick said.

Distribute ASMSU's funding to students

It's great to hear that ASMSU is sitting on $600,000 of our money, ("Some reassembly desired," SN 11/29). As if we needed another reason to think that ASMSU is a wasteful organization that serves no reasonable purpose in the daily lives of students here at MSU. I'd like to propose a solution that probably would seem absurd to most folks around MSU. Instead of looking for somewhere to spend this cash, why not just give it back to the students.

Burn one down

For a few years now, television ads sponsored by an anti-smoking Web site have offered some interesting fun facts regarding tobacco use and put tobacco companies and their lobbyists in some rather compromising positions.

'Turkey pardoning' column was not left

In response to Jennifer MacGregor's letter "Turkey pardoning column leans left" (SN 11/23), I'd just like to ask if perhaps I had read a different article than she did. I assume, as I usually do when I read an article by Patrick Walters, that he was relating more of a human interest story rather than a hard-nosed exposé. I think that Walters' writing style is nothing short of entertaining and informative - hard things to make work together in an article. I have enjoyed Walters' columns for more than a year now, and I can honestly say that I look forward to every single one.

Local businesses react to Columbus' smoke restriction

On Sunday evening, the patio of Espresso Royale Caffé, 527 E. Grand River Ave., was filled with people leaning over books and papers and inhaling smoke from their cigarettes. But at The Ohio State University, students and local residents soon will be required to put out cigarettes before entering any bar, restaurant or public establishment. On Nov.

NBA brawl sheds bad light on Detroit

I am writing this in agreement of Darrell Hughes' column, "'Basketbrawl' is giving city of Detroit, its residents negative image" (SN 11/24). As a Pistons fan and Detroit native, it annoys me to see my hometown being portrayed in such a negative light over this ridiculous fight, since - as Hughes mentioned - the Pistons don't even play in Detroit. I have been to Pistons games and there are a good number of fans that live in the surrounding suburbs.

Improv troupe to offer final show of semester

Your Mom Improv will be performing Thursday through Sunday at the Arena Theatre in the Auditorium. Performances start at 7:30 p.m.

E.L. Post Office opens new self-mailing center

With the swipe of a card and the push of a few buttons, local postal customers can now mail letters and packages themselves.

Some reassembly desired

Your undergraduate student government charges you $13.75 every semester. This year it's lobbied against Proposal 2, fought drinking game bans, spent almost $36,000 on upgrades to its offices, voted against opening the Red Cedar River to fishing and questioned administration officials on the new residential college that was slated for the 2005 school year. So the perennial question on ASMSU representatives' minds is: Do students know what we do?

E.L. officials discuss blighted designation

East Lansing City Council members said at a meeting Tuesday they would like to discuss the East Village blight designation with property owners who want to opt out of the area before the decision is made.

'Madness' stuffed with features

Well, it's over. The matchup hasn't taken place yet, but I already know who is going to emerge victorious when the MSU basketball squad takes on the Duke University Blue Devils tomorrow night.

Close quarters

The MSU swimming and diving team are out of luck. After almost a month of the outdoor pool facility being closed for the season annually, the coaching staff finds itself in a tough situation with scheduling and the lack of facilities.

Poland honors professor

While many faculty members enjoyed turkey Thursday, Dennis Preston feasted on Polish pig feet. Preston, an MSU professor of linguistics, traveled to Warsaw, Poland to receive the Officers' Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland on Friday. It is the second-highest award given to non-Polish citizens for public service.

Police briefs 11/29/04

Team shut out in losses to end year

The MSU volleyball team closed its season with losses to No. 4 Penn State and No. 8 Ohio State this past weekend, as well as losing the chance for a possible NCAA Tournament bid for the first time in 10 years. "I knew finishing the season against Penn State and Ohio State was going to be a daunting challenge," head coach Chuck Erbe said.