National Folk Festival success creates support for local version

The end of the National Folk Festival’s three-year stint in East Lansing is only the beginning of what city officials hope will become an annual celebration. The 63rd National Folk Festival ended Sunday, attracting a crowd during the three-day music gala that was just as big, if not bigger, than last year’s 120,000-visitor turnout, said Lora Helou, communications director for the MSU Museum. The MSU Museum will produce the Great Lakes Folk Festival starting next summer.

U should re-evaluate value of some classes

The university’s undergraduate required courses are a joke.I’m not the first person to say this, but bear with me for a moment.

Gridders scholarship provokes controversy

Spartan tight end Eric Knott completed his first collegiate practice Saturday morning, much to the enjoyment of MSU coaches and players.But not everyone at the university is excited Knott is now an official member of the Spartan family.Knott pleaded guilty to fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, a misdemeanor, and served 30 days in jail in June for an alleged July 1999 rape of a 13-year-old Detroit girl.After a two-year courtship, the Detroit Henry Ford High standout received a full-ride scholarship from MSU on Friday.MSU’s policy dictates any athlete convicted of a felony will be dismissed from the team, but because of the plea-bargain, Knott was able to stay eligible to play football for the Spartans.Head coach Bobby Williams said the decision was not his to make, but that of the university as a whole.“This is a university decision, basically,” Williams said after the first freshman practice of the season Saturday.

Crowd shakes to polka sound

Furious fiddle-playing on songs like “Suicide Polka” and “Potato Chips Polka” flooded the dance tent.The music was so infectious, people couldn’t resist grabbing their partners to do some serious polka dancing.Eddie Blazonczyk’s Versatones played to a packed house at the National Folk Festival.The Polish-style polka band, with its ever-changing lineup, has been together since the late 1950s and has recorded more than 50 albums.Currently, the band consists of Eddie Blazonczyk Sr., Eddie Blazonczyk Jr., Dave Nigel Kurdzil, John Fomenko, Wally Dombrowski and John Pilch Jr.With 14 Grammy nominations and an award in 1987 for “Polka Celebration,” the band is famous for originating the “Chicago style” of polka music.Lead vocalist and founding band member Eddie Blazonczyk Sr.

ASMSU requests student trustee

A bill introduced Saturday at ASMSU’s Academic Assembly summer meeting requests a voting student position be added to MSU’s Board of Trustees - a panel traditionally comprised of high-profile alumni.However, the path to such a proposal becoming reality will be a rigorous one.The initiative would require an amendment to the state’s Constitution - a long and difficult process.Representatives of the undergraduate student government tabled the bill for discussion at future meetings, where member interest will be reassessed.“It’s a really, really lofty issue with a lot of weight to it,” Academic Assembly Chairman Matt Clayson said.

Classic cars cruise on campus

A few classic cars cruised around campus this weekend, mixing in with the typical blend of modern sport utility vehicles and sedans.The fourth annual Cars on Campus charity event kicked off Friday with a mix of classic automobiles rolling down Grand River Avenue and culminated in a car show featuring more than 200 vehicles Sunday afternoon.“There are literally hundreds of car shows this time of year in Michigan,” said Steve Purdy, the show’s event director who designed a poster with an image of MSU’s Sparty reflected on the hood of a Cadillac for the event.

Kids take part in free Tae Kwon Do

Five-year-old Mariana Jimenez’s ponytail bounced in the air as she followed the older kids’ fighting stance.

Police release sketch of suspected phony cop

East Lansing police released an artist’s sketch today of the man suspected of impersonating an officer.The man is suspected in at least two police impersonation cases which have taken place in the past two years.The East Lansing Police Department is asking for help to find the suspect involved in the most recent incident, which happened Thursday.He is described as a white male, about 6 feet tall, about 200 pounds, with medium-length brown or black hair.

August primary irks some

Jared Nisch is registered to vote in East Lansing but didn’t make it to the polls Tuesday for the city council primary. Nisch, an environmental science junior, wasn’t even aware an election was taking place or that there were two students and a recent graduate vying for two open council seats. “How many students do you see around campus?” Nisch questioned.

Police briefs 08/09/01

Pie is excellent choice on movie menu

I’m tempted to lead this review of “American Pie 2” by saying something stupid like “line up for another serving of comedy!” Or “you’ll want a big piece of this one!” Of course, no one really likes reading such obvious and horrible catchphrases, no matter how good or bad a movie may be.

After the best years, columnist ready to go

A funny thing happened to me last Saturday. I spent a hellishly hot day wandering all over Chicago on a mission from God to find myself and my two roommates a place to live.

Classic car show to raise funds for charity

Classic cars are going to make MSU’s campus a safer place this weekend. Cars on Campus and the MSU Alumni Association are sponsoring a weekend of charity events to benefit MSU Safe Place and Highfields Inc. MSU Safe Place works to help those who experience domestic violence within the MSU community.

Lansing Skating Club to host VanCamp event

Believe it or not, there’s an alternative to baking in the desert-like conditions dominating East Lansing - and it isn’t sitting around in an air-conditioned room. The Lansing Skating Club is holding its 27th Annual Howard E.

Study says drivers see dangers of cell phones

Chewing gum while walking is probably not a problem for most - but dialing while changing lanes might be a little different. A recent study by marketing firm J.D.

Two injured in local car accident

Two people were injured in an accident Wednesday.The crash took place about 6:30 p.m. in front of Cedar View East 1376, on Grand River Ave.East Lansing resident Todd Leigh was using the right turn signal going east bound, East Lansing police Officer Scott Despins said.

Bad sports

In an increasingly politically correct society, judging gender discrimination is increasingly difficult.

Four football games sold out; diving pair advances

Senior Carly Weiden and junior Summer Mitchell placed third in Tuesday’s 3-meter synchronized diving preliminaries at the 2001 Speedo National Outdoor Diving Championships in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The duo will move onto the 3-meter synchronized finals today.

Green rally to celebrate student grassroots activism

Campus Greens, a student activist political organization, will invite students from across the country to spread their roots this weekend.

Restaurants clear out smoke, gain more business

More Michigan restaurants are throwing out ashtrays and adopting no-smoking policies. Smoke-free restaurants have increased by 200 to come to a total of 3,000, according to the “Dining Smoke-Free in Michigan” guide for 2001, which lists smoke-free restaurants. According to state figures, Grand Rapids had 135 smoke-free restaurants; Traverse City, 127; Ann Arbor, 106; Muskegon, 86; Kalamazoo, 82; and Lansing had 63. Scott Walker, the director of health promotions in the state Department of Community Health, said a smoke-free atmosphere is in demand among 76 percent of nonsmokers in Michigan.