Interest runs low for council positions

When Mayor Pro Tem Sam Singh ran for the East Lansing City Council in 1995, he faced 11 other candidates in what was one of the last heavily contended local elections.But interest in city council positions has been dismal in recent years, and some city officials and analysts blame the job itself for the lack of applicants."There is a substantial workload that we face for the fact that we're a part-time council," Singh said.Three candidates - all incumbents - are running unopposed on the Nov.

Graduate programs get boost

Four MSU units were selected to collaborate with an independent research center to improve their graduate programs.Departments in math, English, natural science and history were selected by California-based Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching to participate in the Carnegie Initiative on the Doctorate.Cheryl Sisk, director of MSU's neuroscience program, which is within the College of Natural Science, said MSU was one of only nine neuroscience programs in the country chosen to work with the Carnegie Foundation."This gives us a chance to ask what kind of careers we are preparing students for and how to know if we're being successful," Sisk said.

Mascot mishap

It looks as if the symbol of Spartan spirit might need a time out for his recent bad behavior. Last Wednesday, members from the Council of Students with Disabilities were offended when Sparty, the MSU mascot, was seen stumbling through the Union with a white cane and a referee's jersey.

Price of fame can be painful

Every time I hear about another death in the music world, I shake my head and mutter to myself. It always seems to be the same sad story of a far too talented and young artist who succumbs to depression, drugs and/or fame.

The beat goes on

The numbers read like those on a football scoreboard: 36-6. But in this case, 36-6 represents the number of musicians scheduled to travel to Ann Arbor and East Lansing, respectively, in November. The numbers came Tuesday from the online concert Web site Pollstar, which doesn't necessarily list every concert in every city but still paints a picture that Ann Arbor has a more vivacious music scene than the Lansing area. Yet, some music lovers are trying to change that image.

ASMSU evaluates officers

After several delays in the completion of ASMSU's Web site, ASMSU discussed the elimination of two officials Tuesday night.Members of MSU's undergraduate student government debated the performance of Association Director Vikas Menon and Director of Digital and Graphic Media Nitin Pereira, because the organization's Web page still was not completed after both were paid for the work.A bill introduced by James Madison representative Adam Raezler gave Menon and Pereira a Nov.

Police briefs 10/23/03

Indiana Jones DVDs: Long-awaited action

I found myself standing in a video store yesterday, staring at the newly released "The Adventures of Indiana Jones," DVD collection.In my one hand was a DVD collection of Rutger Hauer movies - the equivalent to a bag of sand or manure.

Number of hits increases at Mich. Web site

The state Web site is getting more attention this year than ever before, according to a survey conducted by MSU's nonpartisan Institute for Public Policy & Social Research. In the past year, 64 percent of Internet users in Michigan visited the state Web site, compared to 59 percent in 2002. Michigan's Department of Information Technology reported in September 2002 that the site's main page received 1.75 million hits.

Guster excited to play for 'U'

There's no place like home on the East Coast for indie-pop band Guster, but drummer Brian Rosenworcel said the Midwest is the next closest thing.

Senseless abuse

His eighth-grade class at MacDonald Middle School voted him the funniest student with the best smile, who was most likely headed for a career as an actor. Matthew Epling had enough friends in his back pocket to assure an unforgettable four years of high school that the 14-year-old would have started in the fall of 2002. But Matthew never had the chance to turn the combination on his lock at East Lansing High School or witness a football game under Friday night's lights.

Cancer society hosts program for patients

Cancer patients and their families will have a new place to turn for information and support next week when the American Cancer Society and Ingham Regional Medical Center kick off a series of four "I Can Cope" classes. The four-week program begins on Wednesday at Ingham Regional Medical Center's McRee Guest House, 2721 S.

African center will sponsor discussions

The African Studies Center will sponsor two discussion events this week. Ph.D. Research Fellow Poul Wiseborg will give a presentation at noon today in room 201 of the International Center.

Top 11 Fall Classics

Spray-painted on the grass at Yankee Stadium are the words "The 2003 World Series." For the next week, the paint will continue to cover the natural green while the New York Yankees battle the Florida Marlins in the Fall Classic.The sight of the final two words freezes my mind.

MIDDAY UPDATE: State mayors to meet with Granholm on fire protection funding

A group of Michigan mayors say they plan to meet with Gov. Jennifer Granholm within the next month to discuss the increasing loss of fire-protection funding.

ASMSU ends BTM dispute

ASMSU has agreed to pay an arbitration settlement with a music promotions group because of a campus appearance from rap artist Ludacris more than two years ago.MSU's undergraduate student government paid $6,000 last month to BTM Productions, a promotions group that signed the Atlanta-based rapper to perform at the Auditorium during Homecoming Week in October 2001.When Ebony Productions, a student organization under the programming board of ASMSU, brought Ludacris to campus, there were disagreements with the promotion company about the date and location.BTM Productions officials argued the crowd in attendance didn't meet their expectations.Andrew Schepers, Student Assembly vice-chairperson for internal affairs, said the concert date was changed because it conflicted with the Cold War, the Spartan Stadium hockey game between MSU and the University of Michigan.ASMSU has a risk-management fund, Schepers said, but because of the brief amount of time the organization had to settle the arbitration, funds were taken from the $52,657.63 budget for the ASMSU Special Projects fund.A bill to move the funds between accounts will go through the next Student Assembly meeting.Barry Schlussel, the attorney who represented BTM Productions during arbitration, and a BTM Productions spokesperson could not be reached for comment.Theresa Kelley, assistant general for MSU's general counsel, represented MSU during BTM's arbitration with the university."Ludacris performed as everyone agreed, and everyone thought that was that," Kelley said.

Distillers' 'Coral Fang' a must for grunge fans

Every once in a while, an album is released which gives hope to cynical people. I treat most new music the way an elderly, porch-sitting woman treats the young brats who wander on her lawn - by throwing cats at them and vulgarly expressing her anger, "You damn kids, get the hell off my property." Well, when it comes to most recent albums, I'd rather not be subjected to someone's poor attempt at gaining popularity any more than that old lady wants kids riding their 10-speeds on her grass. But today I won't be throwing cats at anyone, because I've got the newest CD by The Distillers, a foursome fronted by guitarist and vocalist Brody Dalle.

State apple crop booming

After being left with a sour taste from last year's apple season, apple lovers throughout the state are excited about the size, quality and quantity of this year's crop. According to the Michigan Apple Committee, Michigan has about 1,100 orchards, with about 200 acres each.

WEB ONLY: National hip-hop acts to take over Temple Club

The Temple Club, 500 E. Grand River Ave. in Lansing, will host a "Huge Underground Hip Hop Show" today at 8 p.m.

Writer missed point of Coming Out Days

There are a couple of points that need to be made in response to the letter to the editor "Coming Out Days coverage too much". First, you could have come and participated in the Act Out.