Event stresses spring break safety

With spring break right around the corner and students flocking to warmer climates for some sand and sun, campus groups are hosting fairs to raise awareness about having fun while still being safe. Jodi Roberto Hancock, educational program coordinator for the Women's Resource Center, organized the event that took place Tuesday in the Shaw Hall cafeteria and will continue through the next two weeks at other locations. Representatives from the MSU Department of Police and Public Safety, Olin Health Center's Health Education Services, the American Cancer Society at MSU, the Sexual Assault Crisis and Safety Education Program, and Self Defense for Women passed out fliers about issues such as general safety, alcohol, skin cancer and sexual assault. The police department had pamphlets containing laws from three popular spring-break locales - Texas, Florida and Mexico -along with four sets of "beer goggles," which have specialized lenses to simulate different levels of intoxication. English sophomore Katie Derthick demonstrated a pair of the goggles.

Competition, rent threaten life of popular deli

More than five years ago, Vinnie Bartalone set his sights on buying and improving a popular East Lansing eatery. Now, the owner of Sidestreets Deli, 605 E.

Nader's impact uncertain

Although Ralph Nader's Sunday announcement that he will be running as an independent in November's presidential election dismayed many Democrats, experts say he might not have a significant effect on the outcome of the election in Michigan. Ed Sarpolus, a pollster for EPIC-MRA in East Lansing, said although Nader's running as the Green Party's nominee in 2000 undoubtedly drew votes that would have gone to Al Gore, he probably will be less successful this year. "All our polling shows that people are quite polarized this year, more so than four years ago," Sarpolus said.

Police briefs 02/25/04

Junior triumvirate controls 2nd half

Ann Arbor - Three juniors wanted to make sure one team still owned basketball in the state of Michigan. Guards Chris Hill and Kelvin Torbert and swingman Alan Anderson relied on their experience and leadership to guide the Spartans to a 72-69 victory Tuesday night. "It's so funny," Anderson said.

Golfer earns Big Ten accolades for 1st time

Senior Sarah Martin earned the title of Big Ten Golfer of the Week. Martin, who helped take the Spartans to a 14.5-3.5 dual-match win at the Spartan/Wildcat Cup last week, took the title for the first time in her college career. Martin received the title, which she shares with Ohio State junior Kristen White, by tying for the Spartans' high score and by shooting a tournament-best score of 73 in last week's tournament.

'U' requirements valuable, increase quality of any degree

Usually, I do not respond to letters to the editor printed on The State News' Opinion page. On most controversial subjects, letters from both sides of the debate pour into my editor's e-mail box, and thus, I have no reason to continue the debates in my columns, leaving my opinionated ire free to focus on some other political controversy. However, after reading two separate letters that compare Michigan State University's mathematics requirements to monumental atrocities in history (including slavery, segregation and communism), I am going to join this debate.

Comment deadline delayed

At Tuesday's Academic Council meeting, Provost Lou Anna Simon spoke about the value of quick feedback on her proposal for the liberal arts reorganization, but made deadline adjustments for official college committees to respond. Simon said she had received much criticism for the quick March 5 deadline, but she wanted to receive the initial comments prior to spring break in order to process the information before the next Academic Council meeting, slated for March 23. "We wanted to have committee-as-a-whole dialogues," Simon said. Simon said the deadline is important to receive feedback for certain aspects of the proposal that can be put in place quickly, such as forming a planning committee to look into the possibility of a new degree-granting residential option for the study of liberal arts. But for long-term projects, such as the reorganization of colleges, Simon said she wants information from official college committees as soon as possible, but might be more flexible. "These are major and far-reaching changes that are not going to be decided in a month," she said. The College Advisory Council for the College of Arts & Letters had requested more time to discuss the impacts of program reallocation.

'Who's Afraid of Virginia' awes with flawless acting

Bath Community Theatre Guild's newest production, "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" is making audience members laugh uncontrollably, but it also is shocking them into silence. The Edward Albee classic opened in Bath this past weekend, and despite its fine line between humor and horror, it proved to be a huge success. Directed by Matt Carlson, the story follows Martha and George - a bitter, odd couple - who invite a new professor and his wife over for a few drinks and conversation after a party one night.

Walk to raise funds for local families' bills

Capital Area Community Service is hosting its 14th annual Walk For Warmth on Saturday. Money raised will help pay the utility bills of low-income Lansing and East Lansing families.

Spring Break fairs put priority on 'U' safety

The Women's Resource Center will host several spring-break safety fairs in the next two weeks. MSU Department of Police and Public Safety, Olin Health Education Services, the American Cancer Society at MSU, Sexual Assault Crisis and Safety Education and Self Defense for Women also will pass out information on safety at the fairs.

New releases

BLUES"Whiskey Store Live," Tab Benoit and Jimmy Thackery, Telarc Recorded live on the "Whiskey Store" tour, which supported the 2002 release by the same name, this album features Baton Rouge blues guitarist/vocalist Tab Benoit and blues rock guitarist Jimmy Thackery for dueling six-strings.

Local group 'kisses you' with '60s influence

There's something immediately appealing about The Blanks' debut release, "kiss you on the mouth." The Lansing-area band mixes clear guitar tones, fuzzy keys and groovy bass to help create its revival sound.

Health experts wary of drug club

Relatively high prices for prescription drugs in Michigan have left some residents and legislators seeking cost-saving alternatives. Buying pharmaceuticals from Canada, which traditionally has provided lower prices, is becoming a popular but controversial method for Michiganians to buy their medications.

Author shares her Aboriginal heritage

Quiet dignity and strength radiated from the deep brown eyes of author Doris Pilkington as she stood before MSU students and faculty to share the struggles of her family Monday evening in the Union. Students, faculty and community members began filling the conference room to hear the story of Pilkington's mother, Molly Craig, who escaped an Aborigine reservation in Australia and traveled more than 1,500 miles home on foot.

Students to dine with legislators

In an effort to stop future cuts to higher education, ASMSU members are working to change legislators' perceptions of college students through a dinner next month. At Thursday's Student Assembly meeting, MSU's undergraduate student government passed a bill for $800 to fund the dinner, which will bring 14 legislators and about 30 students together. "It's important for us to be proactive," said Andrew Bell, ASMSU's director of legislative affairs.

Rock of ages

As a first-time shopper at Elderly Instruments in Lansing, you might think you've come across a musician's Mecca. From one side of the main showroom comes a full-out assault of Sunburst Fender Telecasters.

Break glass in case of EMERGENCY

The Food and Drug Administration's delay of a decision concerning a morning-after birth control pill has spurred debate across the nation over one question: Should emergency contraception be available without a prescription? The FDA was supposed to decide whether to approve the over-the-counter sales of an emergency contraception called Plan B this month, but officials delayed their ruling until May to allow for more time to seek information on the use of the pills by teenagers. Planned Parenthood affiliates and reproductive rights activists lobby for easier access to the pill, while others believe it promotes moral decay. Plan B is one of the most common forms of emergency contraception.

MIDDAY UPDATE: Sidestreets Deli might close after nearly two decades of business

After nearly two decades in business, one of East Lansing's popular dining spots might close before summer.The survival of Sidestreets Deli, 605 E.

Minority support needed, fights KKK

The article "Affirmative action group disagrees with petition" (SN 2/20) brought some disturbing news to my attention.