Mac's to host CD release party

Charlevoix is a band of ultra-passive-aggressive edgy frustration. Sound mixed up and hard to understand?

Cigarettes offer new way to quit

A new brand of cigarette, designed to ease smokers from their nicotine dependence, has hit the East Lansing market.Quest cigarettes are being introduced to seven states so far: Michigan, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois - the same states that account for 30 percent of the nation's smokers.The company offers three levels of cigarettes.

BYRON: Movie actors just can't compare to classic form of stage acting

There was a time when acting was done only in front of a live audience, forcing actors to hone their craft. People like Lionel, Ethel and John Barrymore were first put on the stage and eventually became a triple threat for theaters and cinemas during the early part of the 1900s.

Soccer reloads

The men's soccer team replenished its roster by signing six recruits, head coach Joe Baum announced Wednesday.Baum inked two goalkeepers, a midfielder, a defender and two athletes who can play midfield or defense next year.

Silent support

Showing silent support for the people affected by war and for the soldiers fighting for the liberation of the Iraqi people, students at MSU can help in a huge way to send aid to those affected by violence with donations of blood.

Museum offers unique look at furry creatures

Bath Township - A five-legged deer, a phallic fishing lure and a mounted white rhinoceros are among the sights to see at Fred Trost's Museum of Outdoor Collectibles. "I want to pack as much as I can in here," says Trost, a 1968 MSU graduate. His museum, at 14097 Webster Road in Bath Township, is more than halfway through a major renovation expected to be completed by June.

top 10 albums

1. "Get Rich or Die Tryin'," 50 Cent, Shady/Aftermath. 2. "Come Away with Me," Norah Jones, Blue Note.

tv's top 10

1. "75th Annual Academy Awards," ABC, 33 million.2. "American Idol-Tuesday," Fox, 21.1 million.3. "Oscar Countdown 2003," ABC, 19.5 million.4. "American Idol-Wednesday," Fox, 17.2 million.5. "Survivor: Amazon," CBS, 16.4 million.6. "Friends," NBC, 14.9 million.7. "Fear Factor," NBC, 14.7 million.8. "Scrubs," NBC, 14.2 million.9. "Judging Amy," CBS, 14.2 million.10. "JAG," CBS, 14 million.Source: Nielsen Media Research

Police briefs 03/27/03

Amtrak contract extended for 6 months

A public hearing Thursday will help establish a long-term deal and secure a financial agreement between Amtrak and the Michigan Department of Transportation, officials say. On Monday, the department offered the financially strapped railway service a six-month contract to retain passenger rail service in the state, declining Amtrak's request for a deadline extension for its contract with the state. No further meetings between the groups are scheduled this week, but Thursday's public hearing will determine whether the bill will pass.

State, local police look for high-risk parolees

Gov. Jennifer Granholm announced Wednesday state and local police agencies apprehended 107 violent parolees this week as part of Project S.A.F.E., a revitalized statewide partnership between the Michigan State Police and the Michigan Department of Corrections.Six Michigan State Police fugitive teams and three Michigan Department of Corrections Absconder Recovery Unit teams were joined by several county and local agencies in a two-day statewide effort of fugitives who posed the highest public safety risk.Some of the suspects are charged with murder, criminal sexual conduct and armed robbery among other crimes.Chad Previch

Nonviolence can cause great change

I personally am disheartened that a government so unprecedentedly large and prolific as ours cannot learn the simple lesson that Mohandas K.

Flag needs respect during time of war

I have witnessed with some alarm a growing number of incidents that demonstrate either a woeful lack of knowledge or a callous disregard for our national flag.

Camping brings out instincts

I am Cro-Magnon man! I am a warrior! I seek meat and tools for building a civilization! I wear charcoal in place of a shirt. Such is my summer camping mentality.

Making it big takes more than playing local bars

So you want to be a rock 'n' roll star? Then listen now to what I say. Whether it's just irony or personal experience speaking, when The Byrds coined the lyrics for that song, the band really couldn't have been more correct on how the music industry works. Learn to play music, dress the part on stage, break out of your small town, get a record deal, make money - it's the basic rock star story line and that's what's been fed to our society through MTV and Rolling Stone. But what if you're reluctant to leave your hometown completely.

Alumni serve in Mideast, keep 'U,' hoops in mind

When the MSU basketball team tips off its Sweet 16 game on Friday, two U.S. Army captains stationed the Middle East hope to be watching. Army captains Kent Vince and Ronald Burke, 2001 MSU veterinary medicine graduates, go to great lengths to catch Spartan basketball while stationed with medical units abroad. Shortly after graduating, Vince and Burke received commissions from MSU's Army ROTC and joined the Army.

top 10 singles

1. "In Da Club," 50 Cent, G-Unit/Shady/Aftermath. 2. "Ignition," R.

Campus life prevents discrimination, professors say

Fayyaz Hussain knows what it's like to be the target of discrimination. When the Persian Gulf War began in 1991, the Pakistan-born professor said he received threatening phone calls.

Outdoor summer concert venues

East Lansing Concert Series(517) 337-1731Parking: Metered street spots, area parking ramps and surface lots.

Record votes by students decide future of 'U' groups

ASMSU's elections last week drew a record number of voters to the polls.About 4,900 students voted on MSU's undergraduate student government tax referendum.About 1,400 students cast ballots in 2002.A bill to increase the undergraduate student government's base tax by 75 cents was approved by 937 votes.ASMSU officials said they are excited the initiative was well-received by students."They think we're doing a good job," said Missy Kushlak, Student Assembly vice-chairperson for internal affairs.The increase will mainly go toward a scholarship endowment which would assist students who can't afford to attend MSU because of a possible increase in tuition.The remainder of the money will be distributed to various groups within the organization.Students also approved the renewal of the Residence Halls Association's $21 tax and a $3 tax for the Impact WDBM (88.9-FM) student radio.But the result of the $5 Eco tax initiative, which would pay for renewable energy sources for University Farms, has not been disclosed because the required number of voters is still in question.When a new fee is introduced by student governments, such as the case of the $5 tax, university rules require more than 50 percent of undergraduate students to vote on the issue.