Controversial play has age restriction, bloody scenes

With swords drawn for a bloody revolution, Riverwalk Theatre has dared to take on a play known for its controversy. Dressed in costumes of the 1800s, the cast of Riverwalk, 228 Museum Drive, will be performing the true story of "Marat/Sade" on Thursday. A drama and musical, the production has received strange feedback from the public in the past and would be a bold choice for most theaters. Because of its interesting subject matter and classic speech, some critics have found "Marat/Sade" to be an intelligent interpretation of Jean-Paul Marat, a journalist during the French Revolution. Others, such as the British critic David Jones, consider it to be "nothing more than shock theater." Since the play enacts many violent and gory scenes, Director Bob Gras and the theater will admit only people who are age 18 and older. Despite this restriction, Gras said he stands by the play and believes it is a good piece of theater. "It is one of the most important plays of the 20th century," he said.

Dunnings to discuss career at bookstore

Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings III will discuss what it is like to be a prosecutor at 7:30 p.m.

Taxi drivers endure drunken shenanigans during late-night runs

Different odors, different beers and different levels of sobriety form the melting pot that is a Big Daddy Taxi. The service escorts people throughout East Lansing and its adjacent cities. T.J.

Banning safety

If one didn't know any better, they'd think assault weapons have a deeply-rooted place within the American citizenry. After 10 years of operation, the federal assault weapons ban was allowed to expire Monday.

Video visionaries

Minutes before the MSU football team kicked off its first home game of the season Saturday, a team of a different kind was working behind the scenes to get the crowd excited for the impending action. In a press box three stories above the field, members of Spartan Vision manned cameras and computers, urgently relaying cues and camera angles to each other through headsets. "Ready for Sparty.

Nader pushes to get 'U' into politics

Large corporations and mainstream political parties are chipping away at Americans' rights and leading to the country's demise, independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader told a packed Wells Hall lecture room Monday night. In his hour-and-a-half-long speech, Nader spoke out to students and challenged them to look outside the status quo. "You wouldn't be here if you didn't have higher expectations," he said.

SN music coverage learns hard lesson

More often than not, I want to pull my hair out when I read anything that has to do with music in The State News.

Council to address E.L. rental housing restrictions

City council members will discuss an ordinance amendment at a work session tonight that establishes boundaries for neighborhoods with residents who want to limit new rental housing. The ordinance, which gives people the power to petition the council to create "residential rental restriction overlay districts," would prohibit future rental housing or limit those that already exist. The amendment would define what constitutes neighborhood lines, City Manager Ted Staton said. Without well-defined boundaries, the location of neighborhoods are "somewhat ambiguous," he said. "It makes it more clear how to draw the boundaries," he said. Signatures from two-thirds of property owners are needed in order for a petition to be considered.

New committee to meet, discuss ASMSU revisions

ASMSU will soon review its services and procedures in a committee proposed last spring. The Constitutional Convention Committee will meet to discuss MSU's undergraduate student government after they fill three committee seats reserved for at-large students. ASMSU's Steering Committee met Friday to recommend both the Student and Academic Assembly chairpersons to draft letters to college deans requesting students to sit on the committee.

E.L. of 1855 would not tolerate today

In response to Joseph Blaim's query ("Residents need to accept student life,". SN 9/7), "Why didn't you protest in 1855 when the Agricultural College of the State of Michigan was founded?" Apart from the fact that not many of us were alive in 1855, one reason that there were no protests might have been that students behaved differently in 1855.

Group peacefully participates in combat

Studio 40K's members set up tables and laugh at inside jokes as they prepare for battles in the basement of Owen Graduate Hall. They're making space for the self-made Styrofoam battlegrounds painted to mimic mountainous terrain, complete with barbed wire and hilltops. On a table nearby, rows of intricately hand-painted game pieces are secured proudly in multiple plastic cases, waiting in comfort for the players to place them into battle. Model gaming may be a serious labor of wits and strategy for hard-core gamers, but for members of Studio 40K, it's a fun way to spend a Friday night with friends. Studio 40K is a group of six to 10 students whose enthusiasm for war games brings them together each week at 7 p.m.

Ash borer program to feature local experts

East Lansing and Okemos will be among the cities featured in a new documentary based on the emerald ash borer beetle. The series "Michigan At Risk" will premiere its 16th season with tonight's broadcast of "Emerald Ash Borer: Path of Death." The show will air at 8 p.m.

Bryant's court proceedings provide valuable advice: 'Be sure'

So the circus that is the criminal proceedings against Kobe Bryant has come to an end. A civil suit remains, but the alleged victim has dropped out of the criminal case. I'm not going to try to guess what really happened on that night last summer.

Police briefs 09/14/04

Celebration to highlight 'U' history

University officials are warning students to get ready to party with Sparty. By highlighting MSU's international and academic reputations while recognizing its lengthy history, those planning the university's 150th birthday, or sesquicentennial celebration, say the year-long soiree will be one to remember. "The events will showcase our intellectual energy," said Sue Carter, co-chairwoman for the sesquicentennial.

Olin to hold Saturday clinic appointments

Olin Health Center will hold once-monthly Saturday gynecology clinics from 10 a.m.-1p.m. Kathi Braunlich, Olin's spokeswoman, said weekend clinics have been implemented at the requests of students.

MIDDAY UPDATE: Volunteer deputies on horseback patrol streets, raise money for grants

In the early 1990s, the clip-clop of horse hooves on asphalt could be heard almost every weekend during the fall. Deputies with the Ingham County Sheriff's Department Mounted Division patrolled the streets, clearing out giant house parties and escorting the occasional student home. These days, East Lansing has calmed down, and the doe-eyed horses and their riders save their appearances for home football games and other potentially rowdy times.

Cedar Village area included in city revamp

East Lansing officials are framing plans to transform the Cedar Village area along Grand River Avenue into a new community in function and design. The 36-acres of land, which is bounded on the west and east by Bogue Street and Hagadorn Road, and on the north and south by Grand River Avenue and the Red Cedar River, would be replaced with new housing and retail facilities. Preliminary plans call for a mix of owner-occupied and rental living in condominiums and loft apartments, as well as shopping, dining and offices, according to the city's draft redevelopment plan. There are currently 22 rental houses, 691 apartment units, six fraternities and the Atlantis cooperative house in the area that the city is looking to redevelop through the East Village Master Plan. More than 2,000 people reside in this location.

Sparrow CEO accepts job offer in N.C., interim president sought

Sparrow Health System President and CEO Joe Damore is leaving Lansing to take a job as president of Mission Health and Mission Hospitals in Asheville, N.C. The move comes after Damore was recruited by Mission Health, which ranks among the top 100 hospitals in the nation, he said. "It's considered a really excellent organization - a really high-quality medical community - in a beautiful location in the Blue Ridge Mountains," Damore said, adding that he has family in the Carolinas. The decision was difficult to make, he said, adding that his family has lived in Lansing for 19 years and the city holds a special place in his heart. After becoming president of Sparrow in October 1990, Damore led the health system through a series of advancements, notably the creation of a Level I Trauma Center, the only of its kind in mid-Michigan. Established in 1996, the trauma center treats seriously ill or injured people.

Higher ed caters to casino careers

Students hoping to make a living while listening to the cha-ching of slot machines and the sounds of cards being shuffled now have a variety of educational options that would train them for a job in the casino industry. Because of an increased interest in gaming and casinos, officials at about seven universities nationwide say they are adding a host of casino classes and degrees to their course options in order to prepare students for a career near the craps table.