Go ahead, build it

Pipeline problems are now out of Lansing's hands and on to the laps of Michigan Supreme Court justices.

P.F. Chang's: A new, tasty change

If the ever-present restaurant-transformed-into-a-bar scene is getting to be a bit drab for your classy appetite, there just so happens to be a savior for your taste buds and eating style. P.F.

Speakers, performers honor black pride

The Black Power Rally attendees who filled the Auditorium on Wednesday night were not the only ones celebrating black pride. Historical members of the black community, honored by speakers and performers, joined, in spirit, the more than 500 students, faculty, alumni and community members. Black Student Alliance Programming Director Geneva Thomas opened the rally by pouring water onto a plant as libations, or blessings, to Malcolm X, Harriet Tubman and others who "ascended to join our ancestors." After a pause, she added, "for liberation." The 31st annual Black Power Rally was dedicated to sociology Professor Ruth Hamilton, who was found dead in her home in Meridian Township last week.

Jay-Z's latest album confirms his talent

Jay-Z arguably is the best rapper alive. He has sold more than 17 million albums. He's co-founded a rap label and clothing line, both multimillion-dollar endeavors.

ASMSU looks to revamp structure

Two ASMSU representatives plan to spearhead a campaign that could restructure the organization from a two-assembly system to one assembly.The representatives also hope to merge with the Residence Halls Association to create a single governing body for students at the university.

WEB ONLY: Flagg pleads not guilty

MSU junior bandit Robert Flagg pleaded not guilty to a charge of use of marijuana at his arraignment on Tuesday at 54-B District Court in East Lansing. Flagg was released on $100 bond and is scheduled for a pretrial hearing on Dec.

Thanksgiving inspires list of top 10 bird songs

Thanksgiving is just a stone's throw away, which means my extended vacation is as well.

Beer guy: Winter ales add spices to spirits

It's getting close to winter break and the beer elves have been hard at work in the breweries throughout the world as the holiday season rapidly approaches.

Pageant winner proves age just another number

She sang "New York New York," wore a black evening gown and dazzled a panel of judges with her gleaming personality. But it was the beauty of age and experience that led 66-year-old Beverly Hunt-Sherrod to win the 25th annual Ms. Senior Sweetheart of America Pageant. Hunt-Sherrod, a Lansing resident with silver and black hair and bejeweled fingernails, won the national pageant over 34 contestants on Nov.

Police briefs 11/20/03

Amid budget cuts, group plans school overhauls

Members of the MSU Council of Graduate Students elected a focus group Wednesday night to discuss the restructuring of the colleges with MSU Provost Lou Anna Simon.MSU administrators are planning fundamental changes to six of MSU's colleges for the spring semester to make up for the drastic funding cuts from the state.Nine members were selected to attend the Dec.

Crime statistics should teach 'U' to be smart about safety

I never thought the comfortable little city I call home would fall ill to the sickness of violence and crime.

Top 10 singles

1. "Baby Boy," Beyonce feat. Sean Paul, Columbia (Last week: 1)2. "Stand Up," Ludacris feat.

Stabenow to address graduating class

Sen. Debbie Stabenow, an MSU alumna, will return to her alma mater in December as one of three speakers to address graduates at this semester's commencement ceremonies.Stabenow will be joined by Lewis Coleman, president of the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, and Bernard Kerik, who served as Iraq's interim minister of interior.The ceremonies will be held Dec.

WEB ONLY: Icers begin nonconference series against Wayne State

The No. 14 MSU hockey team is tired.That's not a knock, but an expectation from a roster full of student-athletes.

'Starlight' skates into Wharton

Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Starlight Express," a spinoff of "The Little Engine that Could," skated into Wharton Center's Great Hall on Tuesday night and is here to stay for a few more days."Starlight Express" is the story of a young boy sent to bed by his mother in the middle of playing with his model train set.

Top 10 albums

1. "Shock'n Y'all," Toby Keith, Dreamworks (Nashville) (Last week: Not on charts) 2. "Afterglow," Sarah McLachlan, Arista (not on charts) 3. "Now 14," Various Artists, Columbia/Unversal/EMI/Zomba (not on charts) 4. "The Very Best of Sheryl Crow," Sheryl Crow, A&M (not on charts) 5. "Speakerboxxx/The Love Below," OutKast, Arista (1) 6. "Blood In My Eye," Ja Rule, Murder Inc./Def Jam (not on charts) 7. "As Time Goes By … The Great American Songbook Vol.

Giving back

As snowflakes begin to fall and winter holidays creep up on us, many people get in the giving mood by donating money to charity organizations. But when college students don't have a dollar to donate, some choose to lend a helping hand instead. And while scooping spaghetti onto white plates in the basement of a Lansing church isn't the way most students spend their Saturday mornings, that's exactly where nursing sophomore Pam Hudson and English sophomore Jenna Delaney were last weekend. The two spent the early part of the day serving lunch to local homeless men, women and children.

MIDDAY UPDATE: Lansing police look to younger generation for recruits

The Lansing Police Department recently launched a recruitment campaign aimed at middle and high school students.

Crichton novel comes alive

Michael Crichton movies have been a hit with the box office and sometimes a miss with critics.This time, the popular author is teamed up with action film director Richard Donner ("Lethal Weapon," "Conspiracy Theory") for a big-budget time-travel flick."Timeline" is about a group of archaeological students trapped in 14th-century France while trying to save their professor.The group must survive one of the bloodiest battles in history and try to make it back to the 21st century.