Council gives grants to cultural organizations

Eight different cultural and historical projects in Michigan were awarded a total of $65,792 from the Michigan Humanities Council. The money came from the council’s new grants program, “Creating Vision for the New Century: The Humanities and the Strengthening of Michigan’s Communities.” The program emphasizes educational, cultural and community-based organizations providing humanities projects in Michigan communities. The recipients of the grants include the Interlochen Arts Academy, Michigan Association of Broadcasters, Michigan Historical Museum, Keweenaw Krayons, Covert Public Schools and Magical Rain Theaterworks. Each project was allotted a different sum to put toward their interest.

Single tickets on sale Aug. 24 for Wharton

The Wharton Center’s 20th Anniversary Season is quickly approaching and patrons have the opportunity to purchase individual tickets beginning Aug.

House, Senate vote to retain funds for local public services

Lansing - In a rally of local government officials on the Capitol lawn Tuesday, Tilden Township Supervisor Deborah Pellow urged lawmakers as they arrived to work on overriding Gov.

Secretary of state calls for open primaries

While the primary election brought a record number of registered voters to the polls, unofficial numbers show a significant number of those votes were not counted.Earlty estimates show about 6 percent of ballots were thrown out because voters chose candidates from both parties on the same ballot.

Police briefs 08/14/02

Keep the change

Along with the recent inflation of rent, gas and tuition, pizza joints might soon make their own raid into students’ pocketbooks. Domino’s Pizza is considering raising the cost of a hot, delivered pizza.

Officials to decide on new Mormon church

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 431 E. Saginaw St., could rise from the ashes.Architects have been working on two designs for a new church since the original building was burned because of arson to the ground in June.One of the two plans will be unveiled to residents at a public hearing 7:30 p.m.

Students apathetic for good reasons

I followed with some interest the recent columns by Drew Harmon, “Time to let go of hopes for better things, let apathetic do as they please,” (SN 8/7), and Rishi Kundi, “Loss of faith in public encouragement doesn’t bode well,” (SN 8/8). The question of student apathy generally focuses around causes, or “why don’t those idiots care about what’s going on?” I would suggest that there are two reasons: Many students have the incorrect perception that local and state politics don’t affect them much, and the correct perception that they can’t do much about it anyway. For the effects of local politics, consider that many local initiatives (such as the Capital Area Transportation Authority question of last Tuesday’s vote) affect property taxes, which directly affect rent.

Service lets library search more branches

The East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbott Road, now has access to the books of seven area libraries through a service called InMich according to a Friday press release. The service allows library patrons to search other libraries’ catalogs for books unavailable at the East Lansing branch. InMich includes libraries at MSU, Albion College, Grand Rapids Community College, Southfield Public Library, Albion Public Library, Central Michigan University’s library and Ovid-Elsie public schools.

Event celebrates with music, food

From finger-lickin’ foods and knee slapping tunes to crafty arts and captivating storytelling, the Great Lakes Folk Festival provided thousands of festivalgoers with a good ol’ time. For East Lansing resident Barbara Kohls the festival was a freeing event. “This weekend, I said no to diet foods and no to watching the calories,” said Kohls, while enjoying a homemade root beer.

The Spartan to be cast in bronze

In 1945, art Professor Leonard Jungwirth predicted his Spartan statue would stand for hundreds of years.

Music gives festival infectious feeling

As families trailed the band Bahamas Junkanoo parading down Albert Avenue in downtown East Lansing, the sounds of traditional folk musicians had many scuffling for seats in the grass to listen.

Police briefs 08/12/02

Saving Sparty

Ceramics experts have given Sparty an ominous diagnosis - he only has eight years to live if his lifestyle doesn’t change soon. But help is on the way for MSU’s terra-cotta icon, believed to be the world’s tallest free-standing ceramic statue.

Seperate room

Beginning this week, some workers in Ingham County will get a breath of fresh air as a countywide ban on smoking in break-rooms used by smokers and nonsmokers alike takes effect.

Religious motto not bad for Michigan

I was shocked to see the “Forced worship” editorial in The State News on Wednesday, August 7, 2002.

3-day regional activity fills E.L.,

Great Lakes Folk Festival organizers estimated that between 100,000 and 120,000 people ventured into downtown East Lansing for the three-day event in its first year.

Return from study abroad helps to appreciate American conveniences

And I’m back. After spending five weeks in the United Kingdom, I’m writing this column while flying over Northern Canada, waiting for the last three hours to pass on my direct flight from London to Detroit.

Brunch to kick off cancer Relay fo Life

The American Cancer Society is holding a “victory brunch” for local cancer survivors 10:30 a.m.

Saginaw Street to undergo construction

East Lansing will resurface Saginaw Street from Coolidge Road to Stonegate Lane starting today. The road will be re-paved with asphalt and undergo other construction. Traffic will be down to one lane on either side during the course of the 1.8-mile project. The project is expected to be completed by Sept.