Band proves they have elements to stick around

Element 101 Stereo Girl (Tooth & Nail Records) Vocalist Crissie Verhagen could have done anything with her sweet and hypnotizing voice, but music lovers are thankful she decided to contribute it to rock. On Element 101’s latest album, they focus more on the songwriting aspect of their music rather than the loud and obnoxious punk of their debut - a step many bands have delved into recently. Their sophomore release, “Stereo Girl,” gleams of solid rock and roll with a touch of poppy goodness and some clever hooks and catchy choruses to boot. Those expecting tunes more like their debut are in for a surprise as the collection is a more genuinely creative and mature plethora of punchy and jump-up-and-down rock. Verhagen uses some nice harmonization on “Today and Always” while “Standing On The Edge Of Night” has some influence by The Get Up Kids, with drum work similar to MxPx. The guitar work throughout most of the record, though not poignantly original, works convincingly by fusing with the creative bass work of Sal Ciaravino. All in all, Element 101 has proven itself as a staying power in the pop-rock airwaves with their latest. To check out more Grooves, visit us online at www.statenews.com/msandu.

Agencies to announce whether to merge

University and city officials plan to release a report today detailing the future of their police departments. The plan is expected to further cooperation efforts between the two agencies and could lead to a future merger of the two full-service police departments, although officials aren’t releasing details. The two departments already share a jail, 911 dispatch center and shooting range, and combine forces for several special police units.

Eating disorders are not diseases

I am writing in response to an column I read in The State News titled “Pop culture trivializes dangers of eating disorder” (SN 3/12). In her article, Kathryn Garvale attempts to critique society’s use of the word anorexia as an adjective to describe one’s appearance or behavior. Her data, as well as the information provided by the Web site www.anorexia-sufferers.com, attempts to exemplify this and then compare anorexia with other diseases.

New predator colonizes Midwest crops

MSU insect specialists are taking to the fields to research the effects of a new plant predator - the soybean aphid.“The aphid migrated here from Asia and was first detected in Wisconsin last July,” said Christina DiFonzo, an assistant professor of entomology.

Toadies much anticipated new album worth long wait

Toadies Hell Below/Stars Above (Interscope Records) After an excruciating and painful seven year absence of The Toadies, fans can breathe a sign of relief as their new record “Hell Below/Stars Above” is finally here. The Fort Worth foursome has sharpened its already fierce instrumental attack while revealing new layers of intimacy and insight into vocalist/guitarist Todd Lewis’ personally charged lyrics. Each song resonates with the same energy and complex artistry that their platinum-selling major label debut, “Rubberneck,” did in 1994. “You’ll Come Down” flows along the same mood as the haunting rock anthem “Possum Kingdom” from “Rubberneck,” while “Push the Hand” condones the same innocent, yet hip, swinging mood as “Backslider,” also from “Rubberneck.” Mark Reznicek’s drumming has improved slightly, seemingly adding more fills and a smoother, more concise backbone to the band, while the simple, yet defining strums of Clark Vogeler’s guitar remains perfectly signature of the band’s sound. “Pressed Against the Sky” and the dreary and long-winded “Doll Skin” expose a surprisingly subtle melodic sensibility side of the band, while unfortunately, the guitar riff of “What We Have We Steal” sounds like something from rock has-beens Collective Soul. Bleeding with the same unexpected stops, totally screwed-up time signatures and guitar advances that seem too simple, The Toadies prove they haven’t grown up just yet, while at the same time indicating they’ve simply gotten better at what they do. A listening party for this album will be held at 11 p.m.

Local students focus on safety

LANSING - Lansing-area high school students voiced concerns about school safety to a panel of state House Democrats on Tuesday at Everett High School, the site of a 1978 school shooting.Vince Villegas, an Eastern High School senior, 220 Pennsylvania Ave., in Lansing, said the first step to preventing school violence is making counselors available.“The average student would have to put in a request to see their counselors and wait about a week,” Villegas said.

Students warm hearts, themselves remodeling church

This is the third in a five-part series profiling one of MSU’s Alternative Spring Break trips.MISSION, S.D.

Police briefs 03/14/01

Web Only Groove-Shipping News

Shipping News Very soon, and in pleasant company (Quarterstick Records) The second full-length effort by these lo-fi geniuses clatters with endless pieces of imagery to compliment their creative progressions. They preach about depressing goodbyes and empty carousels, among other painful everyday occurrences. Opening up with the powerful and confusing chord progressions of “The March Song,” the album carves itself into a beautiful album focused on calmness. The gentle tapping of the percussion on “Actual Blood” rattles as if it were recorded beneath the sea, while the single string progression is minimal enough to appreciate the emotional depth of vocalistKyle Crabtree’s words. Parts of “Nine Bodies, Nine States” sounds similar to something veteran rockers The Jesus Lizard would do - then they turn the volume down and start over again. There is also a strong presence of Archers of Loaf, Slint and even some guitar work similar to Don Caballero throughout this instrumental. “Quiet Victories” and “Contents of a Landfill” are purposefully restrained, settling the listener and forcing every overlapping note and every echo to be absorbed to relax in the constant constellations of sound. The only downfall of the record is that there isn’t one song that stands apart from the rest, which is somewhat irritating, but at the same time the album wouldn’t flow as well if there was one song that stood apart. This album is the perfect soundtrack to an evening at the beach watching the sunset with a loved one, or for a depressing evening alone after a break-up.

Experience key in contestants bid for title

This is the third in a five-part series profiling the contestants of the Mr. Black MSU pageant. Something is missing at MSU, said Jelani Still, the Black Student Alliance representative for Rather Hall Black Caucus. “There’s more leaders needed in the black community to take a stand and make things happen for the good of the community,” the urban planning and geography freshman said. And if Still becomes the next Mr. Black MSU on Saturday, he said he plans to help fill the void. The Mr. Black MSU pageant, sponsored by Black Student Alliance, profiles black male undergraduates who stand out academically through their student leadership on and off campus. Marketing senior DeAndre Carter, founder and president of DCI Motivational Services, a motivational speaking business, was crowned the first Mr. Black MSU last year. Carter’s active role on campus during his reign provided Still with inspiration for the moment he will compete for the title, he said. “I thought to myself ‘this brother is really active,” Still said.

Religious term was inappropriate

With regard to Sheena Harrison’s “Poor living conditions test Lakota Sioux spirit” (SN 3/13), I am troubled by her description of the local Native American religion as “Shamanism.” The term Shamanism depicts the traditional Lakota religion in a negative light, which is not acceptable.

Izzone wants U to see team off

The MSU basketball team is heading to the land of The King sitting atop its NCAA throne. And while the reigning national champions prepare for the upcoming NCAA Tournament, which begins for them on Friday in Memphis, Tenn., members of the university’s notorious student fan section are looking to send the Spartans off in style. Brad Johanson, a finance senior and co-director of the Izzone, is helping to plan a pep rally for the defending champs as they board the team bus between 2:45 and 3:15 p.m.

Church and state should be kept separate

In my small town public elementary school, time was allocated for religious worship, outrageously violating the constitutional separation of church and state.

Speech teaches athletes how food affects ability

Students looking for ways to increase their athletic ability could benefit from a speech tonight. Kristine Clark, director of sports nutrition at the Center for Sports Medicine at Pennsylvania State University, will talk to students at 8 p.m.

Spartans named to All-America team

Two Spartans were named to the Associated Press’ All-America basketball team, further cementing MSU as an elite program.All-American sophomore guard Jason Richardson was selected to the second team, while All-American senior guard Charlie Bell was selected to the third team.

Hoopsters make graduate proud

If you are a couch potato like I am, and haven’t touched that remote control since 9:45 p.m. last Friday, you are not alone.

Lawmakers unveil plan to bridge funding gap

Michigan legislators will release a new funding plan today that may help to close the controversial funding gap between MSU and other state colleges.

LCC alters program, others still in limbo

LANSING - Lansing Community College’s Board of Trustees voted unanimously Monday to continue to offer the aviation program at the school after more than four months of reviewing recommendations for its elimination. “We’re pleased with the decision,” Gayland Tennis, director of Aviation Technology at LCC said after sitting through almost two hours of program recommendations.

Spartans honored at ceremony

LANSING - Top NCAA Tournament seeded MSU hopes that it will receive more hardware within the next week, after fairing well with coveted team awards at its annual Basketball Bust Monday night.

Prosecution unlikely for those who gamble on NCAA Tournament via Internet

FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS Criminal justice sophomore Brad Collins said he enjoys betting on the NCAA Tournament because “it’s fun to be in a pool with a group of your buddies.” But Collins, who said the pools he enters normally have small entrance fees, admitted there should be red flags waved when betting on college athletes goes too far. “I see it being a problem because people are winning and losing money based on amateurs’ performances,” he said.