E.L. council members to review renovations

East Lansing City Council members will get their first look at the semi-renovated East Lansing High School when they meet with the city's Board of Education tonight. The groups also will touch base on mutual concerns, such as snow plowing services, and will discuss the possibility of housing some school buses at a new East Lansing Department of Public Works site. Mayor Mark Meadows said the council is looking forward to touring the new high school during one of its quarterly meetings with the school district. "It was a big issue for the community when they voted to provide the school board with funds to make those changes," Meadows said. Construction on the $55 million project, which began in January 2001, is about 75 percent complete, said Paula Steele, principal at East Lansing High School. New music rooms, two gymnasiums, a 550-seat student union, an inside track and science laboratories are among the completed additions to the building, Steele said. The auditorium is scheduled to be completed in mid-December, and a media center will be finished by August 2005. "Everybody's been really patient," Steele said.

Cruise ship, nuns, musical theater to blend in show

In an effort to help the community get away from stress and chaos, director Judie Town said the Lansing Civic Players production "Meshuggah-Nuns!

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.

'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.

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.

'Legitimacy'

Right now, ASMSU, MSU's undergraduate student government, stands as a house divided - literally. Under the current scheme, ASMSU has the Student Assembly and an Academic Assembly to deal with the off-campus issues such as tailgating and on-campus issues such as tuition, respectively.

'Alexander' an epic catastrophe

How do you take the story of a phenomenal ancient warrior and turn it into possibly the most boring three hours of your life?

Police briefs 11/30/04

Smith sees upside to final game at Hawaii

Head coach John L. Smith returned from his Thanksgiving holiday a little more optimistic about MSU's trip to Hawaii. Smith continues to lament the inordinate travel schedule and lost recruiting time, but there is a bright side to Saturday's game, he said.

Microsoft Corp. CEO to speak at business forum

An energetic speaker known for jumping around stages and firing up crowds will headline the annual MSU business forum this year. Microsoft Corp. CEO Steve Ballmer will speak Wednesday at MSU's Management Education Center, 811 W.

Class act

It is about 5:30 p.m. and the cast of "Carousel" is beginning to get irritated. After a long day of teaching and nine days before opening night, Director Melanie Helton is particularly picky. "OK, OK, Jimmy, you're not an old man, project your voice," Helton said, interrupting a late night rehearsal.

Future 'U' player wins Michigan's Miss Basketball

MSU basketball snatched another top player from the state next year. This time, it is the women's basketball team that will be getting the 2004 Michigan's Miss Basketball. Lansing Christian High School's Tiffanie Shives was voted the top female basketball player in all divisions of Michigan on Monday after coming off a senior season in which she averaged about 25 points per game. Shives is the first incoming Spartan to win Miss Basketball since 2001, when current junior forward Liz Shimek from Glen Lake won the coveted prep honor. According to Lansing Christian head coach Norman Randall, before Shives arrived at Lansing Christian, the school had not won any tournament games.

Professor, course evaluations available online

Students should receive e-mails this week informing them to fill out evaluations for their professors and classes online.

'U' officials give health tips for holidays

The holiday season has arrived and with it oodles of cookies, candy, cakes and cocktails. Between the stress of shopping and the care-free atmosphere of holiday galas, attention to eating and exercise habits can slacken in December, which is fine for a short period of time said Ronda Bokram, an Olin Health Center nutritionist. "The holidays are a time of connecting with people and sharing food with people, it's OK to bake cookies and eat them and not worry about it," Bokram said.