COMMENTARY
Valid Concerns
Michigan voters may soon have the opportunity to voice their opinion on where the remainder of Michigan’s $8 billion portion of the tobacco settlement money goes.
NEWS
Games entertain area festivalgoers
Day two of the Common Ground Festival seemed a little laid-back. That was, of course, unless you were one of the countless people who were swinging a golf club or having a go at a man in a dunk tank. Bands Kool & the Gang and Journey headlined the night’s festivities, but the Hole-In-One golfing challenge continued to gain popularity. Perry resident James Nanasty couldn’t stop swinging away as he was determined to win the grand prize, a $30,000 Chevrolet truck donated by Waldecker Chevrolet of Fowlerville.
FEATURES
Sonic Youth remains fresh on Murray Street
With any artist’s music, the object should be to move something within the listener - if it does that, it’s a unique piece of work, like “Murray Street” by Sonic Youth, the group’s newest album that grooves on almost every song. This rock group began in the early 1980s and is still hot.
FEATURES
Glassjaw defies categorization
Once in a while, a band comes along set to change how music is perceived. A painfully passionate and unique band who endures the selfish music industry to create an outlet for themselves and its devoted fans.
NEWS
Mason signs 5-year deal
Athletics director Ron Mason signed a five-year contract and will garner an annual salary of $270,000.
COMMENTARY
Israel occupation has led to problems
To understand the crisis in the Middle East, you must not underestimate the importance of Israel’s military occupation and the suffering it causes the Palestinian people.
NEWS
Sun shines on festival
Lansing - As the rain fell Tuesday morning, many worried that the third annual Common Ground Festival would be washed out, but Mother Nature came through in the end. With the festival set to kick off in less than two hours, the rain stopped and the sun shone through. “I’m really happy the weather brightened up, something knew this was going to be a wonderful day,” volunteer Kathryn Reed said.
FEATURES
Christian music finds its niche
The Christian music genre has been dubbed one of the fastest growing markets in the industry, according to the Gospel Music Association. With crossover artists such as P.O.D., Yolanda Adams and Kirk Franklin hitting the airwaves with contemporary inspirational music, the mainstream has taken greater notice of the genre. Kirk Franklin brought Christian music to new heights when “The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin” debuted at No.
MICHIGAN
Care programs wait for approval of council
Before- and after-school programs at East Lansing elementary schools only resume if the East Lansing City Council gives the green light at one of its meetings this month.
COMMENTARY
Pledge debate a long time coming, religion and patriotism both have their place in U.S.
Have you ever wondered what exactly our legislators in Washington think about when they propose legislation?
COMMENTARY
Last-minuet land
The debate between East Lansing and Meridian Township rages on as East Lansing approved yet another revision to a nearly 100-acre plot-sharing deal. The fourth proposal was approved by the East Lansing city council last Wednesday, only days after Meridian Township rejected the city’s previous revisions.
MSU
Tobacco money may go on ballot
A coalition working toward amending the Michigan Constitution to direct tobacco settlement money to health care turned in enough signatures Monday to place the initiative on the ballot. Citizens for a Healthy Michigan, a coalition consisting of the American Lung Association of Michigan, the American Cancer Society, the Michigan Health & Hospital Association, among others, submitted 476,083 petition signatures to the state Elections Bureau.
COMMENTARY
Plenty of evil done in name of religion
Perhaps it’s letter-writer Jake Harris (“Pledge fine as is, love it or leave it,” SN 7/3) who should leave if they don’t like living in a country with constitutional checks and balances.
COMMENTARY
Real U.S. patriots always get to polls
I have a problem with the headline, “Patriots pass up polls,” which appeared on the front page of The State News (SN 7/8). If you check your Webster’s dictionary, you will see that a patriot is “one who loves his country and zealously supports its authority and interests.” Thus, one could not “pass up the polls” and still be a patriot, in the correct sense of the word. Bill Nurnberger Haslett resident
NEWS
Area seeks safer swimming after weekend drownings
Bob Tobey doesn’t feel in danger while he’s in the water. “I know my limitations,” said the volleyball camp counselor while swimming at IM Sports-West on Tuesday.
MSU
Police dog brought to patrol, search, protect
The newest member of Meridian Township Police Department comes straight from the Netherlands and listens to all her commands in Dutch.Full of energy and generous with her kisses, 2-year-old Asta is the new township police dog.Asta, a Belgian Malinois, was flown in after a dog trainer in the Netherlands recommended her to Brian Gregory, vice president of Northern Michigan K-9.After two months of training, Asta is worth about $10,000.
FEATURES
Crows continue with good tunes
What can I say? If you’ve ever bought a Counting Crows album and enjoyed listening to its mellow blend of rock and folk, then you’ll undoubtedly love this one, too. When its first radio hit, “Mr. Jones,” constantly badgered airwaves across the nation in 1993, the band was bound to catch on quickly. Nine years later, the seven-member band has released its fifth album, “Hard Candy,” a sweet collection of 14 tasty tracks (one hidden) proving that singer Adam Duritz still longs to be Bob Dylan. Produced by Steve Lillywhite (U2, Dave Matthews Band), the Crows have done what few bands can do - stick with what they’ve always done and not follow the current trend of sellouts.
NEWS
Titanic survivor dies
One of the four remaining survivors of the Titanic sinking of 1912 died in East Lansing on July 4 at the age of 98. Winnifred Quick Van Tongerloo was only 8-years-old when the Titanic went down on its maiden voyage after hitting an iceberg in the Atlantic Ocean.
COMMENTARY
Binge barriers
The Responsible Hospitality Council’s efforts to curb binge drinking in East Lansing are likely well-intentioned, but sadly, they are quite misdirected. As a college town, East Lansing is populated by a large number of citizens who routinely enjoy consuming alcohol.
MICHIGAN
Race will emphasize family, fun and fitness
The ninth annual Ellen’s Race 5K Run and Walk is set for 9 a.m. July 28 at Pinecrest Elementary in East Lansing and will continue through area neighborhoods. The event began to celebrate the life of Ellen Osborn who died in 1993 when she was in the fourth grade and it now also emphasizes the importance of family, fun and fitness. Contestants can apply for $15 or $40 for a family of three or more before July 18.