Horticulture Club to host 'extravaganza'

The MSU Horticulture Club will host the 16th annual Spring Show and Plant Sale "International Garden Extravaganza" on Saturday from 9 a.m.

Wise exit

Even though President Bush has declared the war in Iraq over, the violence has not settled down, prompting contractors to rightfully reconsider their place in the country's reconstruction.

Former coaches honored with award

Two legendary football coaches with long time MSU connections were honored for their contributions to the game Thursday at the Kellogg Center. Hayden Fry, one of college football's most prominent head coaches, and Al Fracassa, Michigan's winningest high school coach, received the 2004 Duffy Daugherty Memorial Award. Fry, 75, coached for 37 seasons in his career: at Southern Methodist (1962-72), North Texas State (1973-78) and, most notably, at Iowa (1979-98). Fry is Iowa's winningest football coach, with 143 wins in his 20 years there. From a personal standpoint, Fry said the award is the greatest he ever has received. "Duffy was such a super person, and to receive an award in his name is just great," Fry said.

Realistic guns part of campus, needed

Ben Baker ("Realistic-looking rifles need to go" SN 4/20) needs to get a proverbial grip.

WEB ONLY: Where there's smoke, there's Kweli's lyrics in Union show

Beneath the dimmed chandeliers of the Union Ballroom on Thursday evening, hip-hop veteran Talib Kweli delivered a high-energy performance to a packed house. The Brooklyn-based artist, who will be releasing his second solo album, "The Beautiful Struggle," in June, held the crowd's attention from the second he stepped on the stage, spitting his raspy-voiced, thought-provoking lyrics for nearly an hour. To the audience's delight, Kweli performed a wide variety of songs from each of the four albums he has been a headlining artist on, including several tunes off 1998's "Black Star" album, on which he co-starred with fellow Brooklyn emcee Mos Def. Characteristic of Kweli's live shows, the performance also included a number of surprisingly offbeat tunes, including a song he performed over a beat sampled from The Beatles' "Eleanor Rigby" while audience members brandished lighters. And, also in Kweli fashion, the artist invited every female audience member onstage following his performance in order to "start a party." The management insisted people clear off of the stage, however, when concerns arose it might break from the weight. Kweli was preceded by Lansing hip-hop mainstay 3rd Deggree, whose sharp, clever lyrics and comfortable stage presence has earned him a following in the area.

Sparty' Spring Party to have b-ball, music

A three-on-three basketball tournament and concert performances all will be a part of Sparty's Spring Party on Saturday. Registration will be held in the Student Alumni Foundation office in the Union.

'U' student shares story of assault during gay-rights rally

Kalamazoo - Everyone at the rally seemed anxious to converse since they had been wordless all day for the National Day of Silence. Participants had been silent to symbolize the silence the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community feel they must overcome in society. But the crowd at the Wesley Foundation building on Western Michigan University's campus Wednesday night remained quiet for MSU political theory and constitutional democracy junior Nathan Triplett.

Memorial service to be held for slain prof

A memorial service has been planned for MSU Professor Ruth Simms Hamilton, who, at the age of 66, was found dead Nov.

'U' international student population grows slightly

When Talha Baweja moved from Karachi, Pakistan, to East Lansing to start school at MSU, there was more than just a new culture to adjust to. "I liked snow the first winter," he said.

Hard hitting

Sporting dreadlocks and a killer swing, senior first base Nat Furrow is carrying the MSU softball team to offensive greatness. Furrow leads the team and Big Ten with a .447 batting average, in addition to owning the most hits (63) and doubles (16). "I think as you get older, if you keep working, you become a better player," she said.

Talib Kweli reflects on music scene, new album

Talib Kweli slowly paces the stage, waiting for an 'OK' from the soundman. Suddenly, a beat kicks in and it's as if the Union Ballroom already is packed to capacity for the upcoming show.

RHA won't fund religious events

Members of the Residence Halls Association's General Assembly established a policy Wednesday not to fund events in which religious groups try to preach to MSU students. The bill that was introduced sought to amend RHA's bylaws to disallow funding to religious groups and religious events. RHA President Ernest Drake said the bill was aimed at avoiding the allocation of funds to events that preach to residents. "Basically, we would not fund events that would evangelize a specific faith," he said. Initially, however, the bill faced some trouble.

Pro-choice students head to D.C. for record-setting march

Organizers anticipate exceeding the million-person goal they set for themselves in what has been dubbed the "March for Women's Lives" in Washington, D.C., on Sunday. The pro-choice march is expected to be the largest of its kind. Charles Cook, community specialist for Planned Parenthood Federation of Michigan, said the unofficial count rises every week. "It's already well over a million," he said.

E.L. library brings anime presentation, movies

Aspiring art teacher Lisa Schoen is not only a fan of the Japanese art form anime, but she also incorporates it into her art work. "I was in high school when I really first started watching it," said the 2003 graduate and former secretary of Animosity - MSU's Anime/Manga Club . "I'd always really loved art, but I had no intentions in following it as a career or anything." Now, she says her passion for anime actually could help her career. "I like anime and I feel it kind of gives me an edge in teaching because so many kids are interested in it now," Schoen said.

Police briefs 04/23/04

People's voice

Should an East Lansing motorist strike an East Lansing pedestrian on an East Lansing street at an unsafe speed, it seems contrary that anyone but an East Lansing resident rectify the situation. But more and more, as East Lansing streets and others around the state increase or lower speed limits, local officials have very little to do with any modification whatsoever.

'Kid's Fest' to include face painting, sports

MSU's campus will play host to a carnival for inner-city children today. The fourth annual "Kid's Fest" will feature food, fun and games for more than 300 children from inner-city areas.

Strength of NBA lies in the West

Ahh, the NBA playoffs. I don't remember the last time I was this excited for a league's postseason.

Armenian genocide focus of lecture, vigil

Guest lectures and a vigil on campus Saturday will commemorate the 89th anniversary of the beginning of the Armenian genocide.

In a bind

Near the front entrance of the East Lansing Public Library, Tinisha Kuykendoll sprawled on a cement bench Thursday afternoon, taking in the sun and a good read. Extending David Hadju's "Positively Fourth Street" an arm's length above her, Kuykendoll was immersed in the description of the lives of folksingers Bob Dylan and Joan Baez. "The images form out of your own imagination," said the East Lansing High School sophomore and library page.