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.

Music, dance gala rolling into E.L.

A celebration of music, dance and cultural traditions bombards downtown East Lansing this weekend. The 63rd annual National Folk Festival, in its third and final year visiting the city, runs from Friday through Sunday and is free to the public - offering food, crafts, vendors and activity tents, in addition to the slew of musical performances. “It’s the perfect family event,” said Lora Helou, information officer for the MSU Museum and co-coordinator of the festival.

Energy usage surges to record level with heat

Staying cool takes more than just a good pair of sunglasses and a leather jacket.It takes energy.Electricity use jumped recently as Michigan residents battled summer heat with fans and air conditioners.Jackson-based Consumers Energy set a record for power usage with 7,780 megawatts from 2 p.m.

Festive aura highlights weekend

The Albert Avenue Parking Lot was closed Wednesday while thin wooden boards and stacks of folding chairs were piled high where cars usually sit.Steve Heinrich, job steward for Local 274, and other workers for the Stage Hands Union, toiled away in 94-degree sweltering heat, constructing a dance floor in the middle of the parking lot.The labor union is just one of the many groups helping East Lansing gear up for the 63rd National Folk Festival, which hits town this weekend.The free festival is in its third and final year in East Lansing.

Camera improves cancer detection

For $400, the average gadget guru can buy a digital camera suitable for holiday snapshots and family portraits.For around $400,000, MSU’s Department of Radiology bought a digital camera made to save lives.The camera is actually a digital mammography unit, which allows doctors to take a snapshot of all areas of the breast.“You record images and download them,” said Arlene Sierra, director of clinical services for the department.

Aides tour research facilities

U.S. congressional representatives for Michigan legislators made their way to MSU to tour the university and its research facilities.The group wrapped up a three-day tour of Michigan research universities.

Visa complications hinder students from teaching U

Just a few months ago, Jen Xu was waiting in line at the U.S. Consulate in Shanghai, hoping for the document that would let him study chemistry at MSU.He was turned away once because his interviewer sensed an “intent to emigrate.”Three weeks later, he was turned away again.On his third and last chance, Xu received the visa that brought him to campus about a month ago.“The first time I was pretty nervous, but by the second and third time, I was an expert,” Xu said.

Heat-wave relief in sight just in time for weekend

Relief is finally in sight for the weekend - just in time for the National Folk Festival.After days of sweltering heat, where temperatures have been in the mid-90s and the heat index rose to 100 degrees, creating steamy conditions in the Lansing area, cooler conditions are on the way.That’s good news for patrons planning on attending the folk gala, an outdoor music and dance festival that begins Friday and runs through Sunday.Wayne Hoepner, a meteorologist in the National Weather Service’s Grand Rapids office, said a cold front should start pushing through tonight.The bad news?

Programs praised for teen pregnancy drop

Low pregnancy rates among teenagers show more teens are saying sex can wait. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, the national teen pregnancy rate dropped 22 percent since 1991. For every 1,000 females ages 15 to 19, there were 48.7 births in 2000. Factors for lower pregnancy rates include more awareness of HIV, AIDS and other STDs, effective contraceptives and education, said Joy Whitten, a community specialist at Planned Parenthood of Mid-Michigan, 300 N.

Treaty doesnt solve major world problems

The United Nations - which is dominated by European socialist countries that have a deep hatred for the prosperity found in the United States, thanks to capitalism and limited government - briefly rejoiced when then-Vice President Al Gore signed the Kyoto treaty in 1998.

Flint star no longer consider Spartans

A day after saying the Spartans were tied with Ohio State at the top of his consideration list, jettisoned Michigan basketball recruit JaQuan Hart said MSU is now out of the running for his services.“It’s down to Ohio State and Cincinnati,” Hart told The State News on Wednesday night.

Professor heads pop culture association

It was 1962 when the Main Library decided to expand its collection beyond agricultural studies and Shakespeare.Nearly 40 years later, more than 250,000 popular culture pieces rest in the library’s growing Special Collections - and pop culture studies at MSU keep growing.Gary Hoppenstand, an American Thought and Language professor and associate department chairman, was elected president of the Popular Culture Association, a 3,000-member organization dedicated to the scholarly study of pop culture of all kinds.“It entails quite a bit,” Hoppenstand said.

Police briefs 08/08/01

Shot down

In the capitalist society we live in, guns can be legally bought and sold by law-abiding citizens and potential criminals.

Pete album is about four years behind

Pete. Pete. (Warner Bros.) Pete, a common name for a common band. The self-titled debut from New Jersey band Pete is missing a few things - namely original lyrics and an original sound. I bet Pete is a great band to see in a bar or a club because it sounds exactly like Creed, but you can see Pete for a fraction of the price. Not only does Pete sound like a Creed cover band, but it sounds like it’s playing the same song over and over.

Humanity often seems unable to get along

Three days ago, Ali al-Julani of Jerusalem stepped out of his car in front of the Israeli Defense Ministry.

E.L. to cut ribbon for Phase I of City Center

A year and a day after construction started, the first piece of the City Center Project is finally complete. The City Center parking garage will have its grand opening ceremony at noon today.

Sin not original but Jolie, Banderas work

A great cast, featuring Antonio Banderas and Angelina Jolie, comes together for the overly long and labored “Original Sin.” Like a lot of modern movies attempting to use expressive camera work and great acting to flush out a script that’s not up to the task, “Original Sin” really isn’t that bad.

Recruits rejection could aid U

The state’s Mr. Basketball runner-up is back to being a recruit - a scenario that has him considering playing for the Spartans in 2002. Fresh after receiving word he won’t be able to attend Michigan to play basketball next year, JaQuan Hart is now mulling over his options. “Right now, Ohio State and Michigan State are tied at the top of my list,” said Hart, who attended Flint Northern High, famed Spartan Mateen Cleaves’ alma mater.

Hollister cruises; teen surprises

LANSING - The two-term mayor cruised through Tuesday’s primary, while an 18-year-old stunned some by advancing to November’s general election. Mayor David Hollister, 59, who walked away with 70 percent of the vote, will square off in the fall against Eugene Buckley, 58, an economics professor at Lansing Community College. Meanwhile, recent Eastern High School graduate Vince Villegas - who co-founded the city’s junior council in January 2000 while serving as president - grabbed 919 votes to stay alive. He rallied the least amount of votes of those who survived the cut.