Shelter worker reflects on helping homeless

Patrick Patterson occasionally cleans up sewage, takes care of bed lice problems and handles outbreaks of tuberculosis.

E.L. library will hold international film fest

The East Lansing Public Library will host an international film festival at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec.

MSU sponsors study of views about Mich.

In a season of low economic conditions in Michigan, 55 percent of Michiganians still say the state's cities generally are important to them. This data was part of a bigger State of the State Survey, which is conducted by MSU's Institute for Public Policy and Social Research. While the percentage of Michigan residents who value the state's cities is down from 71 percent in 2002, Doug Roberts, director of the institute, said the data is still positive for Michigan's cities. "When you look at the state with all the things that are going on, the economy is not particularly great," he said.

Defensive driving course offered today

The National Safety Council's Defensive Driving Course is at 6 p.m. today at the Lansing Area Safety Council, 3315 S.

Commission's suggestions to be reviewed

A copy of the report created by the independent commission investigating the April 2-3 disturbances will be in the hands of the East Lansing City Council at today's meeting.

Experts: Plan for designated driver

Students need to prepare to designate a driver when drinking, especially as the holiday season approaches, said experts from local and national groups as they recognized December as National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month. Planning ahead is one of the best ways to avoid drinking and driving, said Rebecca Allen, health educator at Olin Health Center. "Your safest bet is if you plan to drive, just don't drink," Allen said.

Police briefs 12/06/05

Winter festival features chili, chestnuts

Will Whelton was already deep into his research as the sound of holiday bells rang through the crowd of about 150 still entering the chili cook-off inside the Marriott at University Place on Sunday afternoon. He had finished nine of the 12 chili varieties, shuffling his judge's clipboard and chili bowls to grade each on a 10-point scale.

Cattle herding part of weekend event

Competitors only had one minute to complete their task — guide cattle into a pen without using ropes or their hands. People on horseback directed the cows and raced to beat their opponents, with varied success. About 150 people — ranging in age from about 6 to 80 — competed with their horses in Cowboy Christmas, a horse competition held at the Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education during the weekend.

UAB gets crafty at holiday art show

By Danielle Grondin Special to The State News Shannon Hoffman said she sang holiday songs in the dark Saturday morning, waiting to help crafters line their cars up before the 42nd annual Holiday Arts & Crafts Show. "Why else would you want to be at the Union at 4:45 a.m.

Seniors selected to deliver farewell speeches

Philip Lauri was inspired while interning in Houston this summer. The supply chain management senior decided to write a speech reflecting on his time at MSU and approaching his final semester. "I had been working and sitting in a cubicle, and I thought, 'What am I going to do here with my life?'" Lauri said.

Law could allow bars to remain open past 2 a.m.

Bar patrons would be able to stay out after 2 a.m. if a bill unanimously passed by the state House and Senate is signed by Gov.

WEB EXTRA: Free origami lesson held today in Union

A program teaching the art of origami will be held from noon to 1 p.m. today in the Ohio State room of the Union. At "Origami — Holiday Ornaments from Paper," event participants can learn the Japanese craft of paper-folding to create holiday ornaments and decorations. The MSU Women's Resource Center is providing all supplies, and the program is free to the public.

Dreams of dressage

Maureen Kennedy dances with horses. After a four-year hiatus following an injury, the MSU police sergeant is back at practice for dressage competitions — where a mounted horse is trained in a series of movements such as prancing in place and pirouettes. Kennedy said she trained with Royal Canadian Mounted Police and is now working with horses Gigi and Winzig — each with their own personality — to get ready for competitions this summer. "He's as brave as they come, but he's like a big, fuzzy lumpkins," Kennedy said of Winzig with a smile.

Campus groups 'spread' virus, awareness on World AIDS Day

As of 6 p.m. Thursday, 420 members of the MSU community discovered they had "contracted" the AIDS virus by going online. The Alliance of Les-Bi-Gay-Transgender and Straight Ally Students, with the help of other campus organizations, created an interactive Web site in honor of World AIDS Day on Thursday.

Flood causes some residents to be displaced

Water pipe bursts at two Northern Tier apartment complexes have left at least 15 residents displaced and wondering who is going to pay for the damage. The pipes burst last week in apartments within The Landings and The Village at Chandler Crossings complexes after at least two apartment renters turned off their heat before leaving for Thanksgiving weekend, said Robert Kolt, spokesman for Atlantis Development Group Ltd., which owns the apartment properties. The apartment lease agreement requires that renters keep their heat on so apartment temperatures don't fall to freezing conditions.

WEB EXTRA: Pottery, clothing among items on sale at craft show

The 42nd annual MSU Holiday Arts and Crafts show will be held this weekend at the Union. Featuring goods from more than 200 artists, the show is free and open from 9 a.m.

WEB EXTRA: Teams of cattle to compete in weekend 'Cowboy Christmas'

For three days this weekend, 400-500 teams will be competing in "Cowboy Christmas" at the Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education. The event features timed team penning and sorting competitions with groups of 30 cattle each.

Students hold protest over recruitment

Several students gathered outside the Marine Corps Recruiting Station on Grand River Avenue on Thursday afternoon to protest recruitment tactics used by the military. Members of the group Direct Action organized the protest, claiming that the military uses deceitful tactics to attract new recruits. Social relations sophomore Stefan Lanwermeyer participated in the protest and said many enlist in the military for the financial incentive instead of seeking financial aid. "A lot of people don't understand what is going on —the war doesn't come to college campuses because there isn't a draft," he said.

Police briefs 12/02/05